Condemner

/kənˈdɛmər/ noun

Definition

A person who condemns; one who expresses disapproval, makes a judgment against, or pronounces sentence.

Etymology

From condemn (verb) + -er suffix. The -er suffix is added to verbs to create a noun for 'one who does' the action expressed by the verb.

Kelly Says

Interestingly, 'condemner' is much rarer than 'condemner' spelled as 'condemnor' in legal contexts—the legal variant shows how English law preserved older Latin-influenced spellings even as regular speech changed.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Historically, legal condemnation (especially capital punishment) was a male-dominated function (judges, executioners, prosecutors). The role carries gendered institutional memory.

Inclusive Usage

Use role-neutral terms like 'condemning authority,' 'prosecutor,' or 'judge' to specify function rather than gender-neutral agent nouns.

Inclusive Alternatives

["condemning authority","prosecutor","judge","court"]

Empowerment Note

Women were historically excluded from legal condemnation roles; note when women jurists, judges, or prosecutors exercise this authority.

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