nonconformist
UK[ˌnɒnkənˈfɔːmɪst]US[ˌnɑːnkənˈfɔːrmɪst]
n
A person who does not follow generally accepted beliefs, customs, or practices.
adj
Characteristic of or behaving like a nonconformist.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
conform
ist
non
not
conform
agree
ist
person who
Etymology
The word 'nonconformist' is a layered English construction built from Latin and French components. The core, 'conform,' originates from Latin 'conformare,' meaning "to shape together," which combined 'com-' (together) and 'formare' (to form). The negative prefix 'non-' (not) was attached to create 'nonconform,' a verb meaning to refuse to comply. Finally, the agent suffix '-ist,' derived from Greek '-istes' via Latin, was added to denote a person who embodies this refusal. Historically, the term first gained specific prominence in 17th-century England to describe Protestants who dissented from the established Church of England, with its meaning later broadening to describe anyone who challenges societal norms.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + conform (agree) + ist (person who)
non: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not."
conform: Latin origin (from 'conformare'), meaning "to shape, agree, or be in accordance with."
ist: Greek/Latin origin, a suffix forming agent nouns, meaning "a person who practices or is concerned with something."
Examples
His avant-garde paintings marked him as a nonconformist in the conservative art world.
She has a nonconformist attitude towards traditional career paths.
The company prides itself on its nonconformist approach to innovation.