What is the meaning of the word 'antidisestablishmentarism'?

Vy_lette

Antidisestablishmentarianism (help·) (American English: (help·)) originated in the context of the nineteenth century Church of England, where "antidisestablishmentarians" were opposed to proposals to remove the Church's status as the state church of England. The movement succeeded in England, but failed in Ireland and Wales, with the Church of Ireland being disestablished in 1871 and the Church of Wales in 1920. Antidisestablishmentarian members of the Free Church of Scotland delayed merger with the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland in a dispute about the position of the Church of Scotland. The term has largely fallen into disuse, although the issue itself is still current (see Act of Settlement 1701). http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/Antidisestablishmentarism Aug 11 07, 2:20 AM

zbeckabee

Per the Oxford English Dictionary: "Properly, opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England, but popularly cited as an example of a long word." http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mantidis.html Aug 11 07, 8:50 AM