racialist

The word 'racialist' is a modern compound, formed in the 19th century from the adjective 'racial' and the agent-noun suffix '-ist'. 'Racial' itself derives from the noun 'race', a term of uncertain but likely post-classical Latin origin (perhaps from Old Italian razza, meaning "lineage"), which entered English in the 16th century. The suffix '-ist', tracing back to Greek -istes, denotes a person who practices or is concerned with something. Thus, the literal construction "pertaining to race" + "one who advocates" logically yields the modern meaning of a person who holds or promotes theories of racial difference and superiority.

Structure: racial (relating to race) + ist (person who advocates) - racial: From Latin genus (race, kind) via Old Italian razza, entering English as 'race' with the suffix '-ial' forming the adjective. - ist: A suffix of Greek origin (via Latin -ista), denoting an adherent to a doctrine or practice.