xenophobic
Meaning
having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
Structure
Usage
the politician was accused of making xenophobic remarks during the campaign.
a rise in xenophobic sentiment often follows periods of economic hardship.
the new policy was criticized as being xenophobic and isolationist.
Etymology
the term 'xenophobic' is a modern english formation built from classical greek components. the combining form 'xeno-' derives from 'xenos', a complex word meaning 'stranger', which could imply either a foreigner to be welcomed as a guest or a foreigner viewed with suspicion. this is compounded with '-phobic', from 'phobos' (fear, terror), a common suffix denoting an irrational or intense aversion. the adjective-forming suffix '-ic' was added to complete the word. thus, the literal construction 'fear of the foreign/stranger' evolved in the late 19th/early 20th century to describe the specific modern abstract concept of prejudice against people from other nations or cultures.
Analysis
xeno: from greek 'xenos', meaning 'stranger, guest, foreign'. phob: from greek 'phobos', meaning 'fear, panic, flight'. ic: a suffix of greek and latin origin forming adjectives, meaning 'of, pertaining to, or having the nature of'.