Apologists

/əˈpɒl.ə.dʒɪsts/ noun

Definition

Plural of apologist; multiple people who defend or justify beliefs, doctrines, or institutions.

Etymology

Plural form of apologist, maintaining the Greek-derived structure with English pluralization via -s ending added to the agent noun form.

Kelly Says

Medieval Islamic apologists not only defended their faith but preserved ancient Greek and Arabic texts that would have been lost to the Western world—intellectual defense sometimes means preservation.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Plural form carries the same gendered dismissal pattern as singular: women intellectuals historically faced this label more frequently when articulating minority or traditional positions.

Inclusive Usage

Prefer 'advocates,' 'defenders,' or 'scholars' for broader, neutral application.

Inclusive Alternatives

["advocates","defenders","scholars","proponents"]

Empowerment Note

Women intellectuals whose substantive work was dismissed as mere apology deserve recognition of their analytical rigor.

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