victimization
/ˌvɪktɪmaɪˈzeɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
victima — a beast for sacrifice; a victim
Overview
Meaning Now
- The action or process of making someone a victim; the state of being treated unfairly or being harmed.
- The act of singling someone out for cruel or unjust treatment.
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
victim
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term is derived from the Latin 'victima', which originally referred specifically to animals sacrificed in religious ceremonies. By the 17th century, the meaning broadened in European languages to encompass humans suffering from tragedy, oppression, or criminal acts. The formation 'victimization' reflects the later sociological interest in analyzing how systems or individuals perpetuate harm.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
victima
“animal prepared for religious sacrifice”
- Middle French
victime
“person or animal killed for sacrifice”
- 17th Century English
victim
“a person who suffers from an destructive or injurious action”
- 19th Century English
victimization
“the act of making a victim of someone”
Added suffix -ize and -ation
Connections
Word parts
victim
root
sufferer
-ize
suffix
to make
-ation
suffix
process or result
Related across languages
French
victimisation
victimization
Spanish
victimización
victimization
Related words
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Related to victimization
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.