nonracist
UK[ˌnɒnˈreɪsɪst]US[ˌnɑːnˈreɪsɪst]
adj
Not showing or characterized by racial prejudice or discrimination.
n
A person who is not racist.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
racist
non
not
racist
holding racial prejudice
Etymology
The word 'nonracist' is a modern English formation built upon the 20th-century term 'racist.' The prefix 'non-' derives from Latin non, meaning "not," a straightforward negative particle. The base word 'racist' itself originates from the French racisme, which is built on race, a term with an uncertain etymology possibly entering European languages via Italian razza. The compound 'nonracist' follows a common pattern in English for creating opposites, logically combining the concept of racial prejudice with its explicit negation to describe an attitude or person free from such bias.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + racist (holding racial prejudice)
- non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not" or "the opposite of." It functions as a negative modifier.
- racist: An English word (from French raciste) describing a person who believes in racial superiority or discrimination. It functions as the core noun/adjective being negated.
Examples
The organization promotes a nonracist and inclusive environment for all members.
He considers himself a nonracist and actively challenges discriminatory policies.
The policy was revised to ensure it was completely nonracist in its application.