Help needed to get new word into the dictionary - AMITOR
Hi SHARE Folks -
I've just visited a web site that I hope you will explore. It's at
http://www.amitor.org
And if you use the word "amitor" in any messages, that would be
wonderful!
Help needed to get new word into the dictionary - AMITOR
Hi SHARE Folks -
I've just visited a web site that I hope you will explore. It's at
http://www.amitor.org
And if you use the word "amitor" in any messages, that would be
wonderful!
It seems that there is no word in any language that is the antonym
(opposite) of predator. Tom Hufford would like to add such a word to
the dictionary - "Amitor" or "Amator"
Here is some information about the concept. If it appeals to you,
please visit the site and sign the petition. Then start using the
word.
A Neologism: Amitor
By Greg Lawson - ParkStRanger@aol.com
From Merriam-Webster...
Main Entry: ne•ol•o•gism
Function: noun
Etymology: French néologisme, from ne- + log- + -isme -ism
Date: 1800
1 : a new word, usage, or expression
2 : a meaningless word coined by a psychotic
(ok, ok, read on, sheesh, just because I'm psychotic doesn't
invalidate this concept)
We define the world with words. We have invented words to describe
what our senses perceive and what our imaginations can imagine. To a
very large extent, language affects the way we interpret reality.
Associations between words motivate us to actions. Lion = fearsome =
run.
The word "predator" means "an animal that preys upon other animals."
There is no antonym for "predator" in the English language. There is
no word in any other language that the Amitor project has researched,
which defines behaviors opposite to predation.
A man named Tom Hufford realized this and invented the word "amitor"
from the latin "ami" for friend and "tor" to denote the agent or doer
of an action ... thus amitor, to be a friend. "No one is born
hating ... if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for
love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." -
Tom Hufford
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines predator in this manner...
Main Entry: pred•a•tor Function: noun
Date: 1912
1 : one that preys, destroys, or devours
2 : an animal that lives by predation
and predation ...
Main Entry: pre•da•tion
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English predacion, from Latin praedation-,
praedatio, from praedari
Date: 15th century
1 : the act of preying or plundering : DEPREDATION
2 : a mode of life in which food is primarily obtained by the killing
and consuming of animals
and depredate
Main Entry: dep•re•date
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -dat•ed; -dat•ing
Etymology: Late Latin depraedatus, past participle of depraedari,
from Latin de- + praedari to plunder
Date: 1626
transitive senses : to lay waste : PLUNDER , RAVAGE
intransitive senses : to engage in plunder
The proposed definition for "amitor" is 1) a creature who does not
use violent, physically extreme, coercive, emotional, exploitive or
economic force on those of its own or other species for its existence
or its pleasure. 2) a standard bearer of non-arrogance. 3) one who
only uses force for self-defense. The antonym for "amitor"
is "predator."
The mission of the Amitor Project is to have this new word introduced
into the English language and included in dictionaries by 2025.
The world needs more words to describe peace and nonviolent
behaviors. The more we are able to speak of peace, the more peace
becomes reality.
For more information about the Amitor Project and to sign an online
petition to have the word amitor included in dictionaries, visit:
www.amitor.org
Amitor Home Page
and
http://www.amitor.org/petition.html petition
Here's what I found when I visited the site:
http://www.amitor.org/index
(The following is a proposed dictionary definition of Amitor, also
amator).
AMITOR: A creature who does not use violent, physically extreme,
coercive, emotional, or exploitative economic force on those of its
own species or on other animals. One who only uses force for self-
defense.
1. Human: A person of good character; aspiring
and/or dedicated to the principles of reverence
for life, non-violence, and humane treatment
including the nonexploitation of others..
Examples: Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Keller,
Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Cesar Chavez, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson
Mandela.
2. Animal: Herbivore, does not prey on other
animals. Animal symbol: the giraffe.
Examples: giraffe, elephant, and manatee.
Antonym (opposite): predator
We need your help! To get a word in the Dictionary, it must be used!
Our goal is to have it there by the year 2025.
Please use the word to recognize, and encourage those you know who
have some, or all, of these attributes, or are aspiring to attain
such attitudes and behavior.
Please sign the Petition
It is astounding, - that after more than 5000 years of religious and
philosophic teaching and 2000 years of Christianity, there has never
been the need to name or define non-predatory behaviors, or describe
a "good person." Another interesting point is that English
dictionaries do not have a definition of a "good person."
Amitor is a new word. There is no word in English, Spanish, Russian,
any European language, or any other language that we have been able
to research, which defines behaviors opposite to a predatory state of
life.
The concept is basic. If we are to believe that it is possible for
humans to rise above a predatory state, and attempt to live the
dictates of "love one another," etc., then why has this belief not
generated a need for a word to define, and recognize this behavior,
or the aspiration to attain such behavior?
Is it because we really don't think such behavior is possible? Does
this also mean that those who aspire to such behavior are "fooling"
themselves into thinking that it is possible when the "truth" is that
we are all predators, doomed to predatory behavior? More important,
does it mean that the predators of the world are doing what is
"natural" for our species, and should not be condemned for their
actions? Who can condemn a lion for killing an antelope? Will the
predators of the Earth always have the power to subjugate, eradicate,
or just overwhelm the Amitors by the supposed right of Nature?
We believe, for many reasons, that humans can become better, and that
there are many Amitors in the world. If humanity and the world are to
survive, we must confront the contradiction between talking about
being good and not acknowledging those who are trying, thus
glorifying the Predators.
There are many groups that practice Amitor behavior, such as the
Jains, Buddhists, Society of Friends, Amnesty International and
numerous groups involved in seeking answers to the world's problems.
They are to be honored; they lead the way by their actions. The Jain
word "Ahimsa" - the practice of non-violence - is an inspirational
word for Amitors to accept as their own.
We therefore propose that Amitor be the word to define a good person,
or at least a special type of good person. It is hoped that you will
take note of this word and find a use for it.
Tom Hufford
A man for all seasons, he believed in the inherent goodness of man.
Like Nelson Mandela, he believed that "no one is born hating ... if
they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes
more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." Concerned about
people, he never met a stranger in his travels over the United States
and the world. He firmly stated as did the Dalai Lama in the Path to
Tranquility that peace can only last when human rights are respected.
A well-read, gentle, kind and loving person, he brought out the best
in people.
He was looking for a single word to mean a "good person". The closest
word he found was a Yiddish word - Mensch, a person having admirable
characteristics. His inquiring mind spurred by his daughter's
question "Dad, what is the opposite of predator?" , he asked his
English-teacher niece for a one-word opposite of predator. Having
studied some Spanish, Latin, French and English (amigo, amo, ami,
amity), she came up with Amitor.
Tom embraced the word developing the definition, philosophy and the
desire to spread it to all mankind so that it might become part of
the English language and eventually the world's language. His
greatest desire was for the world to live in peace and for that to
happen, human rights everywhere have to be respected and honored.
Use & Recognition
The word is being used and recognized now.
1. An unrelated corporation at amitor.com uses the name and has
posted the definition.
2. Members of the Unitarian church where the word originator lived
has recognized and uses the word.
3. Yahoo now recognizes over 2,000 sign-in names using derivatives of
amitor (example: amitor3000).
4. Texas Tech Family Practice Center, El Paso Graduation, gave an Ami-
tor award to a graduating resident.
What do you think about getting the word into the dictionary?
Please e-mail me details of anyone using this word to put the word
into the dictionary
Inventing the possibility of a way of being
Consider the possibility that the experience of being human exists in
language. Language is composed of the words we make up and put
together in sentences. The language we invent defines the extent to
which we can experience being human. If we want to impact the world,
look at what is missing in language and invent a word that creates
that which is missing.
The word "predator" means "an animal that preys upon another
animal." .
An animal that possesses Amitor attributes is being peaceful, loving,
caring, and compassionate. We are all either being a predator or an
amitor or somewhere in between at any given time. Even a lion is an
amitor when it is being peaceful, loving, caring, and compassionate
while taking care of its cubs. This word is a way of acknowledging
who we are being when we are being peaceful, loving, caring, and
compassionate.
The definition proposal for amitor is:
1) a creature who does not use violent, physically extreme,
coercive, emotional, exploitive or economic force on those of its
own or other species for its existence or its pleasure.
2) a standard bearer of non-arrogance.
3) one who only uses force for self-defense. The antonym is "preda-
tor."
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec 12, 2003