freedman

[ freed-muhn ]

noun

, plural freed·men.

1. a man who has been freed from slavery.

freedman

/ ˈfriːdˌmæn /

noun

1. a man who has been freed from slavery

Derived Forms

• ˈfreedˌwoman, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of freedman¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; freed ( def ) + man

Example Sentences

Constitution still considered a slave to be three-fifths of a person and didn’t give freedmen the right to vote.

From Los Angeles Times

They engaged in horrific political violence, and did whatever they could to keep freedmen from exercising their new rights.

From Salon

The Cherokee Nation has granted full citizenship to its freedmen, while other tribes, like the Muscogee Nation, have argued that sovereignty allows tribes to make their own decisions about who qualifies for citizenship.

From Seattle Times

Many were freedmen or even slaves, which may account for their low social standing.

From New York Times

James Redpath, the white director of freedman's education in the region, organized about 30 speeches by Union officers, missionaries and black ministers.

From Salon