UNBAN

transitive verb (Politics) To remove a ban from (an organization, activity, etc.); to legitimize. Etymology: Formed by adding the prefix un- (indicating reversal) to the verb ban; the fact that the verb ban itself has negative meaning makes the addition of un- to it rather unexpected and means that unban has a droll effect for some people. History and Usage: The word unban has existed since at least the late sixties, but most people were probably unaware of it until discussion of the possible lifting of the South African government's ban on the African National Congress became a feature of the news in the second half of the eighties. This unbanning actually took place in February 1990, providing a concentration of uses in journalism at that time and helping to establish the noun unbanning and the adjective unbanned. All three forms have since been applied in other contexts. He announced that he was unbanning the long-outlawed African National Congress and would soon free its aging leader. People 19 Feb. 1990, p. 57 The unbanning of foreign investment in Finnish markka bonds has taken place but has not encouraged a flood of interest. European Investor May 1990, p. 63 Now that Dr Boesak has forsaken his power base in the church, now that Nelson Mandela and his colleagues are free and the unbanned African National Congress is talking with the government, will there be a role centre-stage for him? Independent on Sunday 29 July 1990, p. 21