latifundium

[luh-tuh-fuhn-dee-uhm]

latifundium Definition

a large landed estate or ranch in ancient Rome or more recently in Spain or Latin America, typically worked by slaves or tenant farmers.

Using latifundium: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "latifundium" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The latifundia of ancient Rome were worked by slaves.

  • Example

    The haciendas of Latin America were similar to the latifundia of ancient Rome.

  • Example

    The latifundia of Spain were worked by tenant farmers.

latifundium Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with latifundium

  • an agricultural system characterized by large estates owned by a few wealthy individuals and worked by many poor laborers

    Example

    The latifundia system was prevalent in ancient Rome and later in Spain and Latin America.

  • a crisis caused by the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy individuals, leading to social and economic inequality

    Example

    The latifundia crisis in ancient Rome contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.

  • a reform aimed at breaking up large estates and redistributing land to small farmers or tenant farmers

    Example

    The latifundia reform in ancient Rome was proposed by the Gracchus brothers but was met with opposition from the wealthy landowners.

Origins of latifundium

from Latin 'latifundium', from 'latus' meaning 'wide' and 'fundus' meaning 'estate'

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Summary: latifundium in Brief

'Latifundium' [luh-tuh-fuhn-dee-uhm] refers to a large landed estate or ranch, typically worked by slaves or tenant farmers. It was prevalent in ancient Rome and later in Spain and Latin America, exemplified by 'The haciendas of Latin America were similar to the latifundia of ancient Rome.' The term extends into phrases like 'latifundia system,' denoting an agricultural system characterized by large estates owned by a few wealthy individuals and worked by many poor laborers.