free soil

¹

noun

U.S. History.

1. a region, especially a U.S. territory, prohibiting slavery prior to the Civil War.

free-soil

²

[free-soil]

adjective

U.S. History.

1. pertaining to or opposing the extension of slavery in the Territories.

2. pertaining to or characteristic of the Free Soil party.

Other Word Forms

• free-soilism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of free soil¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Origin of free soil²

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50