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philistinism
Variant of Philistine
Philistine
definition
Phil·is·tine (fil′i stēn′, -stīn′; fi lis′tin, -tēn′)
noun
- a member of a non-Semitic people that lived in Philistia and repeatedly warred with the Israelites
Etymology: adapted < Ger Philister, orig. student slang for townspeople
a person regarded as smugly narrow and conventional in views and tastes, lacking in and indifferent to cultural and aesthetic values
Etymology: ME < LL(Ec) Philistinus, usually pl. Philistini < LGr (Josephus) philistinoi < Heb p'lishtim; akin to Palestine
adjective
- of the ancient Philistines or their culture
- smugly conventional and lacking in culture
Related Forms:
- philistinism phil·is′·tin·ism′ noun
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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