corn law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “corn law” mean?
Historical laws in Britain that regulated the import and export of grain to control prices and protect domestic farmers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Historical laws in Britain that regulated the import and export of grain to control prices and protect domestic farmers.
A series of protectionist statutes enacted between 1815 and 1846, which imposed tariffs on imported grain. Their repeal in 1846 marked a pivotal shift towards free trade and had significant social, economic, and political impacts in 19th-century Britain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'corn law' is a well-known historical term; in the US, it is less familiar and may be misinterpreted due to 'corn' commonly meaning maize.
Connotations
In British context, it connotes protectionism, class conflict, and a key historical political battle; in American context, it is primarily an obscure historical reference.
Frequency
Much more frequent in British English, especially in educational, historical, and economic discourses.
Grammar
How to Use “corn law” in a Sentence
the Corn Laws (with definite article)under the corn laws (prepositional)against the corn laws (opposition)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; occasionally referenced in historical analyses of trade policy or protectionism.
Academic
Common in history, economics, and political science courses, particularly when discussing 19th-century Britain, industrialization, and trade debates.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly encountered in educational contexts, historical documentaries, or niche discussions.
Technical
Used in historical and economic technical writing to describe specific trade policies and their impacts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corn law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corn law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corn law”
- Using 'corn law' to refer to contemporary farming laws.
- Misspelling as 'cornlaw' without a space.
- Confusing with other historical legislation like the Navigation Acts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Corn Laws were British legislation enacted between 1815 and 1846 that imposed tariffs and restrictions on imported grain to protect domestic farmers from foreign competition.
The Corn Laws were repealed in 1846 with the signing of the Importation Act, largely due to pressure from the Anti-Corn Law League and changing economic conditions.
They were controversial because they kept bread prices high, benefiting landowners and farmers but hurting the poor, industrial workers, and manufacturers who advocated for cheaper food and free trade.
The Corn Laws are often cited in historical analyses as a classic example of protectionism, and their repeal is seen as a landmark in the shift towards free trade, influencing debates on trade liberalization today.
Historical laws in Britain that regulated the import and export of grain to control prices and protect domestic farmers.
Corn law is usually academic in register.
Corn law: in British English it is pronounced /kɔːn lɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔrn lɔ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Corn Laws as 'grain rules' that acted like a wall, protecting local farmers but making bread costly for others.
Conceptual Metaphor
Protectionist barriers as shields for domestic markets, often evoking imagery of walls or gates controlling flow.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary purpose of the Corn Laws?