Main Entry: -ism

Pronunciation: \ˌiz-əm\

Function: noun suffix

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>