melioration
Americannoun
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Historical Linguistics. semantic change in a word to a more approved or more respectable meaning.
Etymology
Origin of melioration
1620–30; < Late Latin meliōrātiōn- (stem of meliōrātiō ), equivalent to meliōrāt ( us ) ( meliorate ) + -iōn- -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But professional reformation or melioration is usually an organic, incremental process.
From BusinessWeek • Nov. 22, 2011
In respect to the instruction and melioration of the situation of the common people, we find as yet no attention whatever paid to these important subjects.
From Historical View of the Languages and Literature of the Slavic Nations by Robinson, Therese Albertine Louise von Jacob
The great melioration of human society which modern times exhibit, is mainly due to the incomplete substitution of the system of voluntary labor for the one of servile labor, which has already taken place.
From American Eloquence, Volume 3 Studies In American Political History (1897) by Johnston, Alexander
In the melioration of the public service which has been so conspicuously in operation since 1877, Hayes must be rated the pioneer President.
From Historical Essays by Rhodes, James Ford
Population does not increase, and the thinly-scattered inhabitants are too much absorbed in the cares of self-defence even to attempt any melioration of their condition.
From American Institutions and Their Influence by Tocqueville, Alexis de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
