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manumit

verb

/ˌmæn yəˈmɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of manumit

To legally free or emancipate a person from slavery or servitude.
"In ancient Rome, some slave owners chose to manumit their slaves as a reward for loyalty."

Detailed meaning of manumit

It is a term often used in the context of historical practices when individuals were held in bondage and their release was granted by a higher authority or through a legal process. When someone is manumitted, they are granted their freedom, thereby being released from the bonds of servitude and allowed to live as a free individual. Manumission can occur through various means, such as a formal declaration, a written document, or a court order. Historically, manumission has been an important step towards recognizing the inherent rights and dignity of individuals, providing them with the opportunity to live a life free from oppression and control. While manumission has been more prevalent in the context of slavery, the term can also be applied to situations where individuals are released from other forms of servitude or bondage, signifying the restoration of their autonomy and liberty.

Example sentences containing manumit

1. To earn his freedom, the slave pleaded to manumit him after years of servitude.
2. The law required the master to manumit each slave upon their 30th birthday.
3. She would manumit him soon, granting a life free from the shackles of slavery.
4. It was a moral duty for some owners to manumit their slaves without delay.
5. In 1821, the act to manumit all slaves in the state was finally passed.
6. The king decreed to manumit all slaves, spreading joy throughout the land.

History and etymology of manumit

The verb 'manumit' has its etymological origins deeply rooted in Latin. It can be traced back to the Latin words 'manu,' which means 'by hand,' and 'mittere,' which means 'to release' or 'to send.' In ancient Rome, when a slave was granted freedom, it was often symbolized by the act of the slave's owner taking the slave's hand and releasing them, thus signifying their emancipation. This act of freeing a slave 'by hand' gave rise to the term 'manumittere' in Latin. Over time, this Latin word evolved into 'manumit' in English, describing the legal process of setting a person free from slavery or servitude. Therefore, the etymology of 'manumit' underscores the historical significance of the physical act of releasing a person from bondage, highlighting the importance of this legal and moral transformation.

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Further usage examples of manumit

1. Under the new law, it became a crime not to manumit slaves after 20 years.
2. They planned to manumit the slaves, defying the laws of the oppressive regime.
3. Aged and kind, the mistress chose to manumit her slaves early, granting freedom.
4. During the revolt, slaves urged their masters to manumit them or face rebellion.
5. In secret, she'd manumit slaves, aiding their silent escapes under moonlight.
6. It was a time when to manumit slaves was both a moral and legal expectation.
7. Underground networks existed to protect those whom masters would manumit.
8. Brave and just, the young heir vowed to manumit the slaves upon ascension.
9. The old will, discovered late, revealed plans to manumit slaves posthumously.
10. Before the war, there were those who dared to manumit slaves against the law.
11. The historical document revealed that the wealthy landowner decided to manumit all of his slaves upon his death.
12. Manumit is a term used to describe the act of freeing a slave by a legal process or by the owner’s consent.
13. The act to manumit slaves was a turning point in American history.
14. She inherited a plantation and chose to manumit the enslaved individuals working there.
15. The abolitionist movement encouraged slaveholders to manumit their slaves for moral reasons.
16. The lawyer worked tirelessly to manumit those who were wrongfully enslaved.
17. Some states passed gradual emancipation laws that required slaveholders to manumit slaves after they reached a certain age.
18. In his will, the old man stipulated that his lawyer should ensure that he manumit all his slaves.
19. The museum exhibition on slavery showed how various individuals struggled to manumit their fellow human beings.
20. Manumit was often a word of hope for those enslaved, longing for freedom.
21. Throughout history, a number of religions have encouraged their followers to manumit slaves as an act of charity.
22. To manumit a slave was often considered a great moral and charitable act by societies in history.
23. Her ancestors were known to manumit slaves, and she continued the tradition by fighting against modern slavery.
24. The movie portrayed the inspiring story of a former slave who fought to manumit others.