adjective
- not constrained or restricted by custom, tradition, superstition, etc.: a modern, emancipated woman.
- freed, as from slavery or bondage.
verb (used with object), e·man·ci·pat·ed, e·man·ci·pat·ing.
- to free from restraint, influence, or the like.
- to free (a slave) from bondage.
- Roman and Civil Law. to terminate paternal control over.
verb (tr)
- to free from restriction or restraint, esp social or legal restraint
- (often passive) to free from the inhibitions imposed by conventional morality
- to liberate (a slave) from bondage
1620s, from Latin emancipatus, past participle of emancipare “declare (someone) free, give up one’s authority over,” in Roman law, the freeing of a son or wife from the legal authority (patria potestas) of the pater familias, to make his or her own way in the world; from ex- “out, away” (see ex-) + mancipare “deliver, transfer or sell,” from mancipum “ownership,” from manus “hand” (see manual) + capere “take” (see capable). Related: Emancipated; emancipating. Adopted in the cause of religious toleration (17c.), then anti-slavery (1776). Also used in reference to women who free themselves from conventional customs (1850).