manumit

American  

[man-yuh-mit] / ˌmæn yəˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

manumitted, manumitting

1. to release from slavery or servitude.

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manumit British  

/ ˌmænjʊˈmɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• manumitter noun
• unmanumitted adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

If they were faithful and hardworking, the master would set them free, manumit them, when he died.

From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry

Did it ever occur to her, that Northerners might go South, and buy a great many of these slaves, and manumit them?

From Aunt Phillis's Cabin Or, Southern Life As It Is by Eastman, Mary H. (Mary Henderson)

Ma is compounded with many words which express action done by the hand; as, manufacture, manumit.

From Lectures on Language As Particularly Connected with English Grammar. by Balch, William Stevens

In 1819 they had petitioned against being compelled to manumit their slaves in cases where they wished to buy their freedom, but their protests went for nothing.

From The West Indies and the Spanish Main by Rodway, James

Mr. Darg testified of himself during the trial, that he never intended to manumit Thomas, and had made the promise merely as a means of obtaining his money.

From Isaac T. Hopper by Child, Lydia Maria Francis