Pronunciation: ˌ se-m ē -k ə - ' l ō -ny ə l, ˌ se- ˌ m ī -, -mi-, -n ē - ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 1932
1 : nominally independent but actually under foreign domination
2 : dependent on foreign nations as suppliers of manufactured goods and as purchasers of raw materials
– semi · co · lo · nial · ism \ -ny ə - ˌ li-z ə m, -n ē - ə - \ noun