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intellectualism
[ in-tl-ek-choo-uh-liz-uhm ]
/ ˌɪn tlˈɛk tʃu əˌlɪz əm /
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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.
- the doctrine that knowledge is wholly or chiefly derived from pure reason.
- the belief that reason is the final principle of reality.
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
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Origin of intellectualism
First recorded in 1820–30; intellectual + -ism
OTHER WORDS FROM intellectualism
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use intellectualism in a sentence
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
- the doctrine that reason is the ultimate criterion of knowledge
- the doctrine that deliberate action is consequent on a process of conscious or subconscious reasoning
Derived forms of intellectualism
intellectualist, noun, adjectiveintellectualistic, adjectiveintellectualistically, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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