come-outer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / Historical / ArchaicFormal / Historical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “come-outer” mean?
A person who leaves or withdraws from an established group, institution, or system of beliefs, often with the implication of making a public stand or adopting a more radical position.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who leaves or withdraws from an established group, institution, or system of beliefs, often with the implication of making a public stand or adopting a more radical position.
Historically, a person who 'came out' of an established religious congregation or orthodox set of beliefs to join a more radical, dissenting, or reformist group. The term can be applied metaphorically to anyone who breaks away from mainstream ideas or organizations to adopt a more independent or extreme stance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is almost exclusively used in an American historical context. In British English, it would be an obscure, context-specific historical borrowing.
Connotations
In American usage, historical connotations of religious dissent (e.g., from Congregationalism) and social reform (abolitionism, temperance). In British English, if encountered, it would likely be misunderstood or seen as a highly specialised historical term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both dialects. Its use is confined to historical texts or deliberate archaisms.
Grammar
How to Use “come-outer” in a Sentence
[come-outer] + from + [institution/group]a [adjective] come-outerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “come-outer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - not a verb
American English
- N/A - not a verb
adverb
British English
- N/A - not an adverb
American English
- N/A - not an adverb
adjective
British English
- N/A - not typically used as an adjective
American English
- The pamphlet outlined come-outer principles. (historical/attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, religious studies, or American studies contexts to describe 19th-century dissenters.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “come-outer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “come-outer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “come-outer”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He come-outers'). It is only a noun.
- Using it in a contemporary context where 'dissenter' or 'activist' would be appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'comeouter' (the hyphen is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They share an etymological root in the idea of publicly declaring or leaving something. However, 'come-outer' is a fixed historical term for a specific type of dissenter, while 'to come out' is a broad modern phrase for disclosure.
It is considered archaic. Using it in modern contexts would likely cause confusion. Words like 'dissenter', 'nonconformist', or 'activist' are more appropriate for contemporary use.
Primarily, but not exclusively. It was also applied to those leaving mainstream society or politics to advocate for radical social reforms like the abolition of slavery.
No, 'come-outer' is solely a noun. The modern verb phrase is 'to come out' (e.g., 'come out as gay', 'come out in favour of something').
A person who leaves or withdraws from an established group, institution, or system of beliefs, often with the implication of making a public stand or adopting a more radical position.
Come-outer is usually formal / historical / literary in register.
Come-outer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmˌaʊtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkəmˌaʊdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no specific idioms for this noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone shouting 'I'm COMING OUT!' of a church (OUTER doors) to join a protest. A COME-OUTER comes out publicly.
Conceptual Metaphor
BELIEFS/ALLEGIANCES ARE CONTAINERS (to leave a container is to reject its beliefs).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'come-outer' most accurately used?