Antidisestablishmentarianism

Antidisestablishmentarianism is a political philosophy that is opposed to the separation of church and state. The term originated in the context of the nineteenth century Church of England; antidisestablismentarians were opposed to proposals to remove its status as the state church of England. The term has largely fallen into disuse, although the issue itself is still current; witness recent disputes in the UK over the Act of Settlement.

It can be broken down as follows:

~ism ....................... the philosophy of

~arian~ ................. those people who believe in

~anti~ .................... opposition to

~dis~ ...................... the removal of

~establishment~ .. the Church of England as the official state church

Antidisestablishmentarianism is often quoted as one of the longest English words that has an actual meaning: see English language/Long words

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