abolish
abolish
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling of "abolish" (US English):
There are two common pronunciations for "abolish" in US English:
/əˈbɑl.ɪʃ/
/əˈbɑl.əʃ/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable for both pronunciations:
Syllable 1 (ə)
/ə/ - Schwa (a central vowel sound, like the "uh" in "but")
Syllable 2 (ˈbɑl)
/b/ - Voiced bilabial plosive (pronounced by stopping the airflow completely with both lips, then releasing)
/ɑ/ - Low back unrounded vowel (similar to the "ah" in "father," but slightly shorter)
/l/ - Voiced alveolar lateral approximant (pronounced by placing the tip of your tongue near the back of your upper front teeth and letting air flow out the sides of your tongue)
Syllable 3 (ɪʃ or əʃ)
/ɪ/ (in the first pronunciation) - Near-high front unrounded vowel (like the "ee" in "feet," but shorter)
/ʃ/ - Voiceless postalveolar fricative (pronounced by making a hissing sound with your tongue near the back of your upper front teeth)
/ə/ (in the second pronunciation) - Schwa (a central vowel sound)
/ʃ/ - Voiceless postalveolar fricative
In summary:
The first pronunciation emphasises a clearer "ee" sound in the last syllable.
The second pronunciation uses a schwa sound instead of "ee" in the last syllable, making it sound slightly smoother.
Both pronunciations are considered correct.
Word Form Variations
"Abolish" itself doesn't have variations based on singular or plural since it's a verb. However, there are related word forms that can be used in different contexts:
Verb: abolish (present tense), abolishes (present tense, 3rd person singular), abolished (past tense), abolishing (present participle)
Noun:
Abolition: This noun refers to the act of abolishing something. (e.g., "The abolition of slavery was a long and hard-fought battle.")
Abolisher: This noun refers to someone who advocates for or carries out the abolishment of something. (e.g., "William Wilberforce was a prominent abolisher of slavery.")
Adjective: (less common)
Abolishable: This adjective describes something that can be abolished. (e.g., "Capital punishment is not an abolishable offence in this country.")
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb:
Definition: To officially put an end to something, especially by law or general agreement.
Synonyms: Abrogate, annul, cancel, repeal, rescind, revoke, terminate, eradicate, eliminate, stamp out, suppress.
Antonyms: Establish, institute, enact, implement, inaugurate, reinstate, restore.
Noun:
Definition (Abolition): The act, process, or instance of abolishing something.
Synonyms: Abrogation, annulment, cancellation, repeal, rescission, revocation, termination, eradication, elimination, suppression.
Antonyms: Establishment, institution, enactment, implementation, inauguration, reinstatement, restoration.
Adjective (Less Common):
Definition (Abolishable): Capable of being abolished.
Synonyms: Repealable, terminable, eradicable, eliminable.
Antonyms: Unrepealable, untouchable, ineradicable, unsuppressible (these antonyms are less common as well).
Note: The adjective "abolishable" is not as widely used as the other forms.
Examples of Use
Verb:
Book: "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens: "He had heard whispers of whispers of conspiracy and rebellion. The murmurs of those who dared to think the unthinkable: to abolish the aristocracy." (This example showcases the use of "abolish" in a historical context, referring to the potential overthrow of a social class.)
Newspaper: "[Headline] City Council Abolishes Parking Minimums to Encourage Development" (Newspapers often use "abolish" to describe official actions that end existing practices.) ([Example source: Hypothetical local newspaper])
Online Publication: "[Article Title] Can We Abolish Homework? Exploring the Debate" (Online publications use "abolish" in discussions about ending established systems.)
Movie: "Black Panther" - When Killmonger takes over Wakanda, he declares, "We will abolish the borders! We will break down the walls!" (Movies can utilise "abolish" for dramatic effect, emphasising the complete removal of something.)
Noun (Abolition):
General Public Discourse: "The abolition of slavery is a defining moment in human history."
Documentary: "[Documentary title] The Long Road to Abolition" (Documentaries often explore historical struggles for abolition.)
Note: While the adjective "abolishable" is less common, it could be used in a sentence like: "The death penalty is not an abolishable punishment in this state." However, a more common phrasing might be "The death penalty cannot be repealed in this state."
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Abolish
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (This excerpt from the United States Declaration of Independence, though not directly using "abolish," strongly implies the abolishment of tyranny by a government.)
"The time is now to throw off the shackles of oppression." - Frederick Douglass (This quote by the prominent abolitionist uses "shackles" metaphorically to represent the system of slavery he sought to abolish.)
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King Jr. (This quote by the civil rights leader highlights the ongoing fight for justice, which often involves abolishing unjust systems.)
"The ballot is stronger than the bullet." - Abraham Lincoln (This quote emphasises the power of democratic processes to enact change, potentially abolishing the need for violence.)
"The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall." - Che Guevara (This quote, by a revolutionary leader, suggests the need for active struggle to abolish oppressive systems.)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (This quote emphasises the importance of action to prevent evil, which can involve working to abolish harmful practices.)
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." - Voltaire (This quote, though not directly about abolishing anything, highlights the importance of questioning established ideas, which can lead to calls for abolition of outdated systems.)
"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." - Martin Luther King Jr. (This quote emphasises the ongoing nature of social change, which can involve the abolishment of old ways in favour of new ones.)
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha (This quote, though focused on personal development, can be interpreted as advocating for the abolishment of limiting beliefs and embracing personal growth.)
"We shall overcome." - Civil Rights Movement Hymn (This powerful anthem of the Civil Rights Movement expresses the determination to overcome racial injustice, which would involve abolishing discriminatory practices.)
Etymology
The word "abolish" comes from a long journey through languages! It all started with the Latin word "abolere," which means "to destroy" or "to cause something to die out." Imagine a farmer trying to get rid of weeds – that's the kind of "destroy" we're talking about here.
Around the 1400s, French borrowed this word and turned it into "abolir," which also meant "to destroy." Then, English borrowed it from French and changed it a bit to become "abolish" by the 1500s.
So, the original meaning of "abolish" was about getting rid of something completely, and that meaning has stuck around ever since. Today, we use it especially for officially ending laws, customs, or practices that we consider bad or outdated.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Abolish
Abolish slavery: This is the most common and historical usage, referring to the official end of the practice of owning people as property.
Abolish the death penalty: This refers to ending the legal punishment of execution for crimes.
Abolish poverty: This is a more aspirational phrase, suggesting the complete elimination of economic hardship.
Abolish war: This is an idealistic phrase expressing the desire for a world without armed conflict.
Throw off the shackles: This is a metaphorical idiom where "shackles" represent something that restricts or controls someone. Abolishing something in this context means breaking free from those restrictions. (e.g., "The students threw off the shackles of outdated teaching methods and demanded a more engaging curriculum.")
Wipe something off the map: This is an idiom that means to completely destroy something. (e.g., "The new technology has the potential to wipe out paper maps altogether.")
Leave no stone unturned: This idiom refers to being very thorough in your efforts. You can use it figuratively when discussing abolishing something, meaning you'll explore every avenue to achieve your goal. (e.g., "The reformers left no stone unturned in their quest to abolish the corrupt system.")
While not as common, "abolish" can also be used in a more humorous way, often with a sense of exaggeration.
Abolish homework: This playful phrase expresses a student's desire to get rid of school assignments.
Posts Related to Abolish
Source Information
Definition of abolish from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
