| 释义 |
abolitionist|æbəˈlɪʃənɪst|
[f. abolition + -ist.]
a. One who aims at or advocates the abolition of any institution or custom.
1836–7Dickens Sketches (1850) 144 The abolitionist of the national debt, the unflinching opponent of pensions. 1871Daily News Nov. 1 Who, indeed, among the abolitionists of Purchase has ever denied that English gentlemen..have served their country on the battle-field?
b. Applied specially, and probably originally, to persons seeking the abolition of Negro slavery. Used also attrib.
1790Clarkson in Slave-trade II. 212 Many looked upon the abolitionists as monsters. 1842Dickens Lett. I. 61 (ed. 2) I speak of..all parties—Slave Upholders and Abolitionists. 1859Times 28 Dec. 6/4 The vagaries of the Abolitionists would cause a revulsion of feeling in favour of the South. Ibid. The doings of their Abolitionist brethren.
c. Applied to one who advocates the abolition of capital punishment. Used also attrib., esp. of countries, states, which have abolished capital punishment.
1927E. R. Calvert Cap. Punishment in 20th Cent. ii. 23 The abolitionist recognises..the need to protect society against murder, but he realises that the problem cannot be solved by the mere infliction of unpleasant consequences. Ibid. iii. 48 The relative culture and ethical standards in the abolitionist and non-abolitionist states. 1930Times 3 Apr. 7/7 The cumulative experience of abolitionist countries demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that the death penalty is not necessarily a deterrent. 1956Times 10 July 6/3 There was no evidence to show that the police in abolitionist countries were any less safe than they were in retentionist countries. |