Standard Lemma guide

protirement

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Early retirement from professional work with the positive idea of pursuing something more fulfilling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 1961. George Jean Nathan, Henry Louis Mencken The American Mercury, p. 92, In other words, retirement connotes regression, whereas protirement would mean progression. ... Arthur Godfrey was right! "Retirement" is a dirty word.
  • 1998, John S. Murphy, Frederic M. Hudson The Joy of Old, Geode Press, 1998, (Amazon.Com book review), Retire? Thats something you do to a wheel. The authors suggest Protirement instead

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Blend of pro- + retirement; coined by Arthur Godfrey, according to the article Let's Protire, The American Mercury, January 1961.