ism

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

Etymology

From the suffix -ism (“belief”), particularly (in the 19th century) in the sense of "social movement". Compare phobia, from -phobia, sophy, from -sophy, itis, from -itis, and ana, from -ana.

In classic literature

Synonyms

doctrine, philosophy, philosophical system, school of thought

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