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The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, ordered that enslaved people living in rebellious territories be released from the bonds of ownership and made free people—their own masters. Though the proclamation's initial impact was limited, the order was true to the etymology of emancipation, which comes from a Latin word combining the prefix e-, meaning "away," and mancipare, meaning "to transfer ownership of.”
Examples of emancipation in a Sentence
a book discussing the role that the emancipation of slaves played in the nation's history
Recent Examples on the Web
Already famous for her furtive work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Tubman arrived in Beaufort in the spring of 1862, a few weeks after the Union general David Hunter declared martial law and ordered the emancipation of the local enslaved population.
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Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
The event will commemorate and honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, reflecting on the enduring significance of equality and freedom in the community and beyond, according to the release.
—Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2024
This is a very important point for Lila, because the emancipation of women plays a pivotal role in Elena Ferrante’s books.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
After emancipation from slavery, freed people had no right nor access to land.
—Farah Nibbs, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2024
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Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
The event will commemorate and honor the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, reflecting on the enduring significance of equality and freedom in the community and beyond, according to the release.
—Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2024
This is a very important point for Lila, because the emancipation of women plays a pivotal role in Elena Ferrante’s books.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
After emancipation from slavery, freed people had no right nor access to land.
—Farah Nibbs, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for emancipation
Dictionary Entries Near emancipation
Cite this Entry
“Emancipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emancipation. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
emancipation
noun
eman·ci·pa·tion
i-ˌman(t)-sə-ˈpā-shən 
: gradual separation of an original homogeneous embryo into fields with different specific potentialities for development
Legal Definition
emancipation
noun
eman·ci·pa·tion
i-ˌman-sə-ˈpā-shən
: the act or process of emancipating
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