secession

[si-sesh-uh n] /sɪˈsɛʃ ən/

noun

an act or instance of seceding.

(often initial capital letter) U.S. History. the withdrawal from the Union of 11 Southern states in the period 1860–61, which brought on the Civil War.

(usually initial capital letter) Fine Arts. a style of art in Germany and Austria concurrent with and related to Art Nouveau.

Origin

1525-35; < Latin sēcessiōn- (stem of sēcessiō) withdrawal, equivalent to sēcess(us) (past participle of sēcēdere to secede; see cession) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

secessional, adjective

nonsecession, noun

nonsecessional, adjective

Can be confused

cession, secession, session.

Examples from the web for secession

The tension over money abetted talk of secession and an unusually divisive political season this fall.
His reluctance to make definitive public statements on the secession crisis was an ongoing theme in his remarks on this journey.
The political virus of secession was planted there long before the disease broke out here.
But he drew the line-a bright, sharp line, defended by arms if necessary-at anything that even hinted at secession.
No one then dreamed of four years' war, but every one dreamed of secession.
It should be kept in mind that comparatively few of those who won renown on the field were promoters of rebellion or secession.
They regarded secession as treason, and emancipation as a noble cause.
They stand accused of alleged atrocities during the country's war of secession, and face possible execution.
The current sharing arrangement, designed for a single sovereign country, is likely to change after secession.
secession proposal for more information, see new york city secession.

British Dictionary definitions for secession

secession

/sɪˈsɛʃən/

noun

the act of seceding

(often capital) (mainly US) the withdrawal in 1860–61 of 11 Southern states from the Union to form the Confederacy, precipitating the American Civil War

Derived Forms

secessional, adjective
secessionism, noun
secessionist, noun, adjective

Word Origin

C17: from Latin sēcessiō a withdrawing, from sēcēdere to secede

Word Origin and History for secession

1530s, from Latin secessionem (nominative secessio) "a withdrawal, separation; political withdrawal, insurrection, schism," noun of action from past participle stem of secedere "secede," from se- "apart" (see secret) + cedere "to go" (see cede). Originally in a Roman historical context, "temporary migration of plebeians from the city to compel patricians to address their grievances;" modern use in reference to religious or political unions dates from 1650s.

secession in Culture

secession definition

The withdrawal from the United States of eleven southern states in 1860 and 1861. The seceding states formed a government, the Confederacy, in early 1861. Hostilities against the remaining United States, the Union, began in April 1861 (see Fort Sumter), and the Civil War followed.