mammonism

[ mam-uh-niz-uhm ]

/ ˈmæm əˌnɪz əm /

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the greedy pursuit of riches.

QUIZZES

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

First recorded in 1835–45; mammon + -ism

mam·mon·ist, mam·mon·ite, nounmam·mon·is·tic, adjective

They cared nothing for mammonism, that some philosophical crank has defined to be a physical force that makes men invertebrates.
The Broken Sword|Dennison Worthington
The game-preserving interest is worth maintenance if only as clashing with mammonism.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 64, No. 393, July 1848|Various
But of a Midas-eared Mammonism, which indeed at bottom all pure Mammonisms are, what better can you expect?
Past and Present|Thomas Carlyle
Our national peril is Mammonism, and the sordid pursuit of gold.
The Battle of Principles|Newell Dwight Hillis

Mammonism at least works, but 'Go gracefully idle in Mayfair,' what does or can that mean?
Past and Present|Thomas Carlyle