activist English · revision 7708

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1907}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈæk.tɪ.vɪst/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably borrowed from German [[m|de|Aktivist]], from aktiv, [[active]], and -ist,^(MWU 2024) or formed [[af|en|active|-ist]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A believer in philosophical activism: 1907 in Etymonline and MWU;^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) the adjective is from 1897 in MWU and the philosophical sense 1908 in HTOED.^(MWU 2024)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ One who advocates direct action is from 1915,^(Etymonline) originally of a political movement in Sweden urging the abandonment of neutrality in the First World War and active support for the Central Powers.^(Etymonline) A person engaged in vigorous political campaigning is from 1920 in HTOED,^(HTOED) and the philosophical sense is now rare.^(HTOED) Longman defines it as someone who works for social or political change, as in animal rights activist.^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1897 – the adjective.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1907 – a believer in activism.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1915 – an advocate of direct action.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1920 – a political campaigner.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who works actively for social or [[political]] change; a proponent of [[activism]].^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)

+ # ''(philosophy)'' A believer in the philosophy of activism.^(Chambers 2008)^(HTOED)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or engaged in activism.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonactivist]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[activism]]

+ * [[active]]

+ * [[act]]

+ * [[action]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}