-ism
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.-ism
noun suffixDefinition of -ISM
1
a : act : practice : process <criticism> <plagiarism> b : manner of action or behavior characteristic of a (specified) person or thing <animalism> c : prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a (specified) attribute <racism> <sexism>
2
a : state : condition : property <barbarianism> b : abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing <alcoholism> or marked by resemblance to (such) a person or thing <giantism>
3
a : doctrine : theory : religion <Buddhism> b : adherence to a system or a class of principles <stoicism>
4
: characteristic or peculiar feature or trait <colloquialism>
Origin of -ISM
Middle English -isme, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, partly from Latin -isma (from Greek) & partly from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos; Greek -isma & -ismos, from verbs in -izein -ize
-ism
noun suffix \ˌiz-əm\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of -ISM
1
: act, practice, or process <hypnotism>
2
a : state, condition, or property <heterothallism> b : abnormal state or condition resulting from excess of a (specified) thing or marked by resemblance to a (specified) person or thing <alcoholism> <morphinism> <mongolism>
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