Abnormalize

/æbˈnɔːrməlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To make something abnormal or to treat something as if it were abnormal rather than normal.

Etymology

From abnormal + -ize (verb-forming suffix from Latin -izare). This back-formation creates an active verb from the adjective, implying a process of change or classification.

Kelly Says

This verb captures an interesting phenomenon—societies sometimes actively abnormalize things (like certain behaviors or identities) through naming and labeling, which actually creates the 'abnormality' by marking it as different.

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