noun

Comstock

Comstock (noun) means a censor, or someone who campaigns to suppress material they consider obscene or morally objectionable. Example: “Critics called the new decency law an act of pure comstockery.”

noun

A censor, or someone who campaigns to suppress material they consider obscene or morally objectionable.

"Critics called the new decency law an act of pure comstockery."

How to use Comstock

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed to describe someone acting like a moral censor, cracking down on anything seen as indecent.

When to use it

Rare outside historical or legal writing about censorship.

Word forms

Comstocks plural

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Etymology

Named after Anthony Comstock, a 19th-century American anti-vice campaigner whose name became attached to strict censorship laws he championed.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800 Comstock joined the language around 1800.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Comstock” mean?

The word “Comstock” means a censor, or someone who campaigns to suppress material they consider obscene or morally objectionable. In plain terms, used to describe someone acting like a moral censor, cracking down on anything seen as indecent.

How do you use “Comstock” in a sentence?

Here is “Comstock” used in a sentence: “Critics called the new decency law an act of pure comstockery.”

What part of speech is “Comstock”?

“Comstock” is a noun.

Where does the word “Comstock” come from?

The word “Comstock” dates back to around 1800. Named after Anthony Comstock, a 19th-century American anti-vice campaigner whose name became attached to strict censorship laws he championed.