idiotism
1 Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of idiotism1
First recorded in 1585–95; idiot + -ism
Origin of idiotism2
1580–90; < Latin idiōtismus < Greek idiōtismós a vulgar phrase, peculiar way of speaking
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We have become so used to the thought that any higher literacy is in retreat before the forces of electronic media and consumer idiotism, that perhaps to imagine the opposite has become impossible.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 25, 2011
By this time He had discovered that his Neighbour was not very conversible; But whether her silence proceeded from pride, discretion, timidity, or idiotism, He was still unable to decide.
From The Monk; a romance by M. G. (Matthew Gregory) Lewis
They had not advanced to the still more horrid stages of palsy, apoplexy, epilepsy, idiotism, St. Vitus's dance, blindness, or insanity.
From The Young Man's Guide by William A. (William Andrus) Alcott
Swift's letters paint with terrifying colours a picture of solitude; and at length his despair closed with idiotism.
From Literary Character of Men of Genius Drawn from Their Own Feelings and Confessions by Isaac Disraeli
The expressions are in the preter tense, and it would be downright idiotism to say that a man could prophecy in the preter tense.
From Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 4 (1794-1796): the Age of Reason by Moncure Daniel Conway
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
