free soil


free soil

n. US territory in which slavery was prohibited before the Civil War.

free′ soil′


n. a U.S. territory in which slavery was forbidden before the Civil War. [1840–50, Amer.]

Free′-Soil′



adj. (sometimes l.c.) 1. opposing the extension of slavery into U.S. territories before the Civil War. 2. pertaining to or characteristic of the Free Soil Party. [1840–50, Amer.] Free′-Soil′er, n.