Deportee

/ˌdɛpɔːˈtiː/ noun

Definition

A person who has been or is being deported; someone officially removed from a country and sent elsewhere, usually to their home country.

Etymology

From 'deport' plus the suffix '-ee,' meaning 'one who experiences the action.' The pattern is similar to 'employee' (one who is employed) and 'refugee' (one who seeks refuge).

Kelly Says

The term 'deportee' reflects a grammatical pattern where '-ee' identifies the person receiving an action rather than performing it—deportees don't deport themselves, they are deported by authorities.

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