combining form of Gr. έλεύθερος free: Eleutheromania [see MANIA], mad zeal for freedom. Eleutheromaniac a. [see MANIAC], one possessed by a mad zeal for freedom. Also in botanical compounds, as Eleutheropetalous [Gr. πέταλον leaf], Eleutherophyllous [Gr. φύλλον leaf], Eleutherosepalous [see SEPAL] adjs., having the petals, leaves, sepals, free, i.e., distinct, not cohering.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. III. iv. Nothing but insubordination, eleutheromania, confused, unlimited opposition in their heads. Ibid., I. II. v. Eleutheromaniac philosophedom grows ever more clamorous.
1880. Gray, Struct. Bot., vi. § 5. 245. Eleutheropetalous … has … been used [for polypetalous].
