Word of the Day: Abolish -What Does Abolish Really Mean? Let’s Uncover Its Power to End Things!


Definition

Abolish (ə-ˈbäl-iSH) – verb

  1. To formally put an end to something, typically an institution, law, or practice.
  2. To eradicate or destroy something, making it no longer exist or function.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Eradicate
  • Eliminate
  • Terminate
  • Annihilate
  • Repeal

Antonyms:

  • Establish
  • Create
  • Build
  • Reinstate
  • Promote

Introduction

Have you ever felt that something was holding society back or causing harm, and thought, "That needs to go"? That’s where the word abolish comes in. It’s about ending something completely, whether it's a law, a practice, or even a system. Abolishing is not just about stopping – it’s about actively working to remove and make sure that what’s abolished no longer has any influence. Let’s take a closer look at the power of abolishing things and how this word can apply to many aspects of life!

Etymology and Origins

The word abolish comes from the Latin verb abolere, meaning "to destroy, to put an end to." This verb is linked to the act of eliminating something or making it cease to exist, and over time, it came to be used to describe formal acts of termination, such as laws or institutions being ended.

Applications of "Abolish" in Different Contexts

1. Abolishing Laws and Systems

One of the most common uses of abolish is when talking about ending laws, systems, or institutions that are no longer deemed necessary or beneficial. The abolition of slavery, for example, is one of the most significant uses of this word in history.

Example:
The abolition of segregation laws was a significant step toward racial equality in the United States.

2. Abolishing Harmful Practices

Abolition is also a term used when people fight to end harmful practices, whether social, political, or cultural. It’s the act of standing up against something that causes harm and working towards its permanent end.

Example:
The global movement to abolish child labor aims to ensure that every child has the right to education and a safe childhood.

Pronunciation

/ə-ˈbäl-iSH/

Examples in Literature

  • Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities:
    “Let us abolish this cruel system of inequality, for a new world must be born.”
    Dickens uses abolish to call for the end of oppressive systems that hurt the common people.

  • Abraham Lincoln, The Emancipation Proclamation:
    “This nation shall abolish the practice of slavery once and for all.”
    Lincoln’s words are among the most powerful calls to abolish an inhumane practice in history.

  • George Orwell, 1984:
    “To abolish freedom is to ensure total control over the people.”
    Orwell uses abolish in a warning about how totalitarian regimes attempt to erase basic freedoms.

Modern Usage

In Politics and Law

To abolish is often used in discussions about political reform, where the goal is to eliminate outdated, unjust, or harmful laws or practices. It carries a sense of finality – once something is abolished, it is permanently gone.

Example:
Many activists are working to abolish the death penalty in several countries, advocating for more humane forms of justice.

In Social Movements

The word is also central to various social movements that seek to end harmful practices or systems, such as the abolition of apartheid or the end of discriminatory laws.

Example:
The movement to abolish tobacco advertising focuses on reducing the harm caused by tobacco use.

Interactive Quiz

Test Your Knowledge of "Abolish"

  1. What does it mean to abolish something?
    a) To improve or enhance it
    b) To put an end to it
    c) To leave it unchanged

  2. Which of the following is a synonym for abolish?
    a) Establish
    b) Eradicate
    c) Support

  3. Which of these issues has seen efforts to abolish harmful practices?
    a) Gender equality
    b) Child labor
    c) Literacy rates

Answers:

  1. b) To put an end to it – Abolish refers to actively eliminating or ending something.
  2. b) Eradicate – Both words imply the act of completely removing something.
  3. b) Child labor – There have been global efforts to abolish child labor through laws and reforms.

Conclusion

The word abolish carries with it a sense of finality and power – the ability to end something that is unjust, harmful, or no longer necessary. From the abolition of slavery to the efforts to end child labor, abolish has been used in moments of significant social and political change. So, the next time you hear about someone or something being abolished, think about the profound impact it can have on the world around us.

Stay tuned for our next blog: Abolishment – The Formal Process of Ending Systems!