-ism Hear it!

-ism definition

-ism (iz′əm)

  1. the act, practice, or result of terrorism
  2. the condition of being pauperism
  3. action, conduct, or qualities characteristic of patriotism
  4. the doctrine, school, theory, or principle of cubism, socialism
  5. devotion to nationalism
  6. an instance, example, or peculiarity of Gallicism, witticism
  7. an abnormal condition caused by alcoholism
  8. belief, attitudes, actions, or conduct characterized by prejudice or bigotry related to ageism, classism, sexism

Etymology: ME -isme < OFr & L -isma (< Gr) & -ismus (< Gr -ismos): orig. suffix of action or of state, forming nouns from verbs in L -izare, Gr -izein

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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