An anti-racism group is angry over a French dictionary's definition of colonization, claiming it glorifies the country's brutal legacy.

The widely-used reference book, Petit Robert 2007, says: "To colonize: colonizing a country in order to enhance it, exploit its wealth."

The MRAP group said the dictionary editors should take into account all "experiences, suffering and damages caused by this crime against humanity."

It said in a statement, "Facing this new attempt to rehabilitate and glorify colonialism, MRAP is asking for the pure and simple withdrawal of this dictionary."

France's colonial legacy has been under debate recently. Protests erupted in France and former West African colonies over a law that urged teachers to stress the "positive role in the French (colonial) presence overseas."

President Jacques Chirac ordered the law repealed after weeks of controversy.