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nom·i·nal·ism | \ ˈnä-mə-nə-ˌli-zəm 
, ˈnäm-nə-ˌli-zəm \
, ˈnäm-nə-ˌli-zəm \Definition of nominalism
1 : a theory that there are no universal essences in reality and that the mind can frame no single concept or image corresponding to any universal or general term
2 : the theory that only individuals and no abstract entities (such as essences, classes, or propositions) exist — compare essentialism, realism
Other Words from nominalism
nominalist \ ˈnä-mə-nə-list , ˈnäm-nə-list \ noun
, ˈnäm-nə-list \ nounnominalist or nominalistic \ ˌnä-mə-nə-ˈli-stik , ˌnäm-nə-ˈli- \ adjective
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The first known use of nominalism was in 1830
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