Looking up...
anti-disestablishmentarianism
/ˌæntiˌdɪsɪstæblɪʃməntɛriˈænɪzəm/
opposition to the disestablishment of a state church
The group's anti-disestablishmentarianism reflects their desire to maintain the traditional role of the church in government.
They oppose removing the official status of the church in state affairs.
Law
formal
the opposition to the removal of a state church's official status
Historically, anti-disestablishmentarianism was a key issue in debates over church-state separation.
People who supported keeping the church as an official institution argued against disestablishment.
This term is often used in discussions about the separation of church and state, particularly in historical or legal contexts.
Collocations
strong anti-disestablishmentarianismfirm opposition to removing the state church's official status
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Historical Context
This term was particularly relevant in 19th-century debates, such as those surrounding the disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales.
Gold Rule
Usage
Use this term only in formal or historical discussions about church-state relations, as it is not commonly used in everyday language.
Word Origin
Derived from 'anti-' (opposition) + 'disestablishment' (removal of official status) + '-arian' (relating to) + '-ism' (belief or doctrine). The term is a humorous example of a long word constructed from multiple prefixes and suffixes.
Usage Notes
This word is rarely used in modern language but is sometimes cited as an example of an extremely long English word. It is primarily found in historical or legal discussions about church-state relations.
Word Breakdown
anti-
opposition to
prefixdisestablishment
removal of official status
root-arian
relating to
suffix-ism
belief or doctrine
suffixEnglish Dictionary