liberation
Pluralliberations (some meanings)
- 1The act of setting a person or place free, or being set free.
Like opening a cage so a trapped bird can fly away.
The liberation of the prisoners brought joy to their families.
After years of war, the town celebrated its liberation at last.
Similarrelease, freedom, emancipation, deliverance, rescue
Oppositecaptivity, enslavement, imprisonment, subjugation
Note
- 2Winning equal rights and fair treatment for a group that was held back for a long time.
Like finally being allowed through a door that was locked only for some people.
The liberation of women changed laws about work and pay.
Many people fought for the liberation of groups that had few rights.
Similaremancipation, freedom, equality, enfranchisement
Oppositeoppression, subjugation, repression
Note
- 3An ironic way of saying that something was stolen or taken by force.
Like calling it 'borrowing' when you never plan to give it back.
The soldiers joked that their liberation of the wine cellar was a great victory.
He called stealing his roommate's snacks a liberation.
Note
Practice
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Origin
It came from Latin words meaning "a freeing" or "to set free," and reached English through Middle French.