lucy stoner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / Obsolete / HistoricalHistorical, Literary, Formal
Quick answer
What does “lucy stoner” mean?
A woman who advocates for women's rights, especially regarding the retention of her maiden name after marriage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who advocates for women's rights, especially regarding the retention of her maiden name after marriage.
A historical and often humorous term for a feminist, specifically one who challenges patriarchal naming conventions. The term can be used as a proper noun to refer to the historical person Lucy Stone or as a common noun for women who follow her example.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is historically American in origin, referring to an American activist. British usage is almost exclusively in historical or academic contexts referencing American feminism.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is archaic. In American English, it may carry a slightly more direct historical resonance.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage in both varieties, found primarily in historical or feminist scholarship.
Grammar
How to Use “lucy stoner” in a Sentence
[be/consider someone] a Lucy StonerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lucy stoner” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She had Lucy Stoner principles regarding marital nomenclature.
American English
- The article explored Lucy Stoner ideology in the Gilded Age.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or gender studies texts to discuss 19th-century feminism or the politics of naming.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lucy stoner”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lucy stoner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lucy stoner”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'feminist' without the specific naming connotation.
- Misspelling as 'Lucy Stonner'.
- Using it in present-day contexts without historical framing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but she was one of the first in the United States to do so publicly and make it a noted part of her feminist activism, which is why her name became associated with the practice.
No, it is a historical term. Modern discussions use phrases like 'keeping one's maiden name' or 'name retention'.
No, it is intrinsically gendered, referring specifically to a woman who adopts Lucy Stone's stance on marital naming.
Given its archaic nature, it would likely be seen as odd or humorous rather than offensive. In a historical context, it is a neutral descriptor.
A woman who advocates for women's rights, especially regarding the retention of her maiden name after marriage.
Lucy stoner is usually historical, literary, formal in register.
Lucy stoner: in British English it is pronounced /ˈluː.si ˈstəʊ.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈluː.si ˈstoʊ.nɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To do/pull] a Lucy Stoner”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Lucy STONE kept her name alone; a Lucy Stoner does the same.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A HISTORICAL FIGURE (for a principle).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'Lucy Stoner' be MOST appropriately used today?