Luddite

[ luhd-ahyt ]

noun

1. a member of any of various bands of workers in England (1811–16) organized to destroy manufacturing machinery, under the belief that its use diminished employment.
2. someone who is opposed or resistant to new technologies or technological change.

Luddite

/ ˈlʌdaɪt /

noun

1. any of the textile workers opposed to mechanization who rioted and organized machine-breaking between 1811 and 1816
2. any opponent of industrial change or innovation

adjective

1. of or relating to the Luddites

Derived Forms

• ˈLuddism, noun

Other Words From

• Luddism Luddit·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Luddite¹

First recorded in 1805–15; supposedly after Ned Ludd, 18th-century Leicestershire worker who in a fit of rage destroyed mechanical knitting machines; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Luddite¹

C19: alleged to be named after Ned Ludd, an 18th-century Leicestershire workman, who destroyed industrial machinery

Example Sentences

Or, they could distort the contents of the bill and attack anyone who disagreed with them as a legal Luddite and hysteric.

From The Daily Beast

Even my mother, a kitchen luddite, has been converted from wood.

From The Daily Beast

Though I have a reputation for being a Luddite, I actually love the new digital technology and its artistic possibilities.

From The Daily Beast

They have a weirdly jubilant streak that defuses any hint of a Luddite subtext.

From The Daily Beast

And embrace your inner Luddite, whenever possible unplugging any gadget invented after 1932.

From The Daily Beast

Still the Luddite Riots must not be forgotten, for, at one time, they threatened to be somewhat serious.

From Project Gutenberg

After this wholesale act of severity the Luddite disturbances soon came to an end.

From Project Gutenberg

During the autumn and winter of 1811 "Luddite" riots broke out among the stocking-weavers of Nottingham.

From Project Gutenberg

Not unnaturally, without work and without food, these handworkers The Luddite riots.

From Project Gutenberg

Anyhow from that time the Luddite conspiracy ceased to be formidable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• neophobe
• technophobe