antebellum
|an-te-bel-lum|
C1
/ˌæntiˈbɛləm/
before the war
Etymology
Etymology Information
'antebellum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ante bellum', where 'ante' meant 'before' and 'bellum' meant 'war'.
Historical Evolution
'Ante bellum' was used in Latin to describe periods before wars and eventually became the modern English word 'antebellum'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'before the war', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War.
The antebellum architecture of the South is renowned for its grandeur.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42