manumit

[man-yuh-mit]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR manumit ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), man·u·mit·ted, man·u·mit·ting.

to release from slavery or servitude.

Origin of manumit

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin manūmittere, earlier manū ēmittere to send away from (one's) hand, i.e., to set free. See manus, emit

Related formsman·u·mit·ter, nounun·man·u·mit·ted, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for manumit

loosen, pardon, spring, relieve, extricate, bail, ransom, acquit, untie, save, reprieve, dismiss, rescue, demobilize, loose, deliver, undo, redeem, enfranchise, discharge

Examples from the Web for manumit

Historical Examples of manumit

For proof: By what law could Paul manumit another man's servant?
A Defence of Virginia
Robert L. Dabney
Even baptism did not manumit him unless the owner were a Moor or a Jew.
A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 1
Henry Charles Lea
He gave the law, that every shire in the kingdom should annually manumit one thrall.
The Story of Norway
Hjalmar H. Boyesen
But, as well might you, as to say, that it is the "purpose" of the abolitionists to "manumit."
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus
American Anti-Slavery Society
Suppose the South should manumit their slaves, will the North receive and educate them?
A Review of Uncle Tom's Cabin
A. Woodward

British Dictionary definitions for manumit

manumit

verb -mits, -mitting or -mitted

(tr) to free from slavery, servitude, etc; emancipate

Derived Formsmanumitter, noun

Word Origin for manumit

C15: from Latin manūmittere to release, from manū from one's hand + ēmittere to send away

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for manumit

early 15c., from Latin manumittere "to release, set at liberty, emancipate," literally "to send from one's 'hand'" (i.e. "control"); see manumission. Related: Manumitted; manumitting.