Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
Luddite. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Luddite, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Luddite in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
Luddite you have here. The definition of the word
Luddite will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
Luddite, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Named after Ned Ludd, a legendary example, + -ite.
Pronunciation
Noun
Luddite (plural Luddites)
- (historical) Any of a group of early-19th-century English textile workers who destroyed machinery because it would harm their livelihood.
2022, R. F. Kuang, Babel, HarperVoyager, page 482 (footnote):For instance, the Luddites, so maligned as technology-fearing machine breakers, were a highly sophisticated insurrectionary movement, composed of small, well-disciplined groups who used disguises and watchwords, raised funds and gathered arms, terrorized their opponents, and carried out well-planned, targeted attacks. (And, while it is true the Luddite movement ultimately failed, it was only after Parliament had mobilized twelve thousand troops to put it down – more troops than had fought in the Peninsular War.)
- (by extension, often derogatory) Someone who opposes technological change.
2012 October 24, David Leonhardt, “Standard of Living Is in the Shadows as Election Issue”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:[Benjamin Friedman] added, "How long does it take the Luddites to be wrong — a few years, a decade, a couple of decades?" Perhaps just as important, what happens to the workers who happen to be living during a time when the Luddite argument has some truth to it?
- (by extension, casual) One who lives among nature, forsaking technology.
Derived terms
Translations
19th-century textile worker who destroyed machinery
one opposing technological change
Further reading
Anagrams