Plantation
/plænˈteɪ.ʃən/noun
A large estate where crops are cultivated, typically by resident laborers.
Did you know?The term 'plantation' was tied to the Latin 'plantatio', meaning 'to plant'—but it soon became synonymous with colonial exploitation and forced labor.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
plantatio
“The act of planting or cultivating.”
Old French
Old French
plantation
“Establishment or planting of crops, often in a colonial context.”
16th Century
English
plantation
“An area of land cleared for agricultural use, often linked to colonial endeavors.”
17th Century
English
plantation
“Specifically referred to large farms in the Americas relying on slave labor for production.”
Modern English
English
plantation
“A large estate or farm, particularly associated with historical contexts of slavery and colonialism.”