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definitions

intellectualism

[ in-tl-ek-choo-uh-liz-uh m ]
/ ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlɪz əm /
|

noun

devotion to intellectual pursuits.
the exercise of the intellect.
excessive emphasis on abstract or intellectual matters, especially with a lack of proper consideration for emotions.
Philosophy.
  1. the doctrine that knowledge is wholly or chiefly derived from pure reason.
  2. the belief that reason is the final principle of reality.

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Nearby words

  1. intellection,
  2. intellective,
  3. intellectronics,
  4. intellectual,
  5. intellectual property,
  6. intellectuality,
  7. intellectualization,
  8. intellectualize,
  9. intellectually handicapped,
  10. intelligence

Origin of intellectualism

First recorded in 1820–30; intellectual + -ism
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for intellectualism

British Dictionary definitions for intellectualism

intellectualism

/ (ˌɪntɪˈlɛktʃʊəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

development and exercise of the intellect
the placing of excessive value on the intellect, esp with disregard for the emotions
philosophy
  1. the doctrine that reason is the ultimate criterion of knowledge
  2. the doctrine that deliberate action is consequent on a process of conscious or subconscious reasoning
Derived Formsintellectualist, noun, adjectiveintellectualistic, adjectiveintellectualistically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for intellectualism

intellectualism

n.

1829; see intellectual + -ism. Probably based on German Intellektualismus (said by Klein to have been coined 1803 by Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling (1775-1854) from Late Latin intellectualis). In English, originally with reference to the doctrines of Leibnitz.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper