Luddite

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Any of a group of British workers who between 1811 and 1816 rioted and destroyed laborsaving textile machinery in the belief that such machinery would diminish employment.
2. n. One who opposes technical or technological change.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A member of a conspiracy of workmen in England (1811–1816) banded together for the destruction of improved machines, under the delusion that these diminished employment: said to have called themselves Luddites from an imbecile named Ned Lud, who broke two stocking-frames from anger. The disturbances created by them were called Luddite riots, and required stern measures for their repression.
2. Of or pertaining to the Luddites: as, Luddite riots.

Wiktionary

1. n. Any of a group of early 19th century English textile workers who destroyed machinery because it would harm their livelihood.
2. n. Someone who opposes technological change.
3. n. Any of a group of early 19th century English textile workers who destroyed machinery because it would harm their livelihood.
4. n. Someone who opposes technological change.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. One of a number of riotous persons in England, who for six years (1811-17) tried to prevent the use of labor-saving machinery by breaking it, burning factories, etc.; -- so called from Ned Lud, a half-witted man who some years previously had broken stocking frames.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. one of the 19th century English workmen who destroyed laborsaving machinery that they thought would cause unemployment
2. n. any opponent of technological progress