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 Words From

• free-soilism 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

Example Sentences

They were therefore under the necessity of traveling six hundred miles before they could tread a free soil.

From Project Gutenberg

Slavery will never be contented so long as there is an inch of free soil in the United States!

From Project Gutenberg

We have seen to-day that every shade of popular opinion is represented here, with Freedom or rather Free-Soil as the basis.

From Project Gutenberg

At nearly the same time a party of seven and another of five were safely landed on the free soil of Canada, making 94 in all.

From Project Gutenberg

It is in vain for either England or the United States to shirk the guilty responsibility of introducing slaves on free soil.

From Project Gutenberg