meliorism

[ meel-yuh-riz-uhm, mee-lee-uh- ]

noun

1. the doctrine that the world tends to become better or may be made better by human effort.

meliorism

/ ˈmiːlɪəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. the notion that the world can be improved by human effort

Derived Forms

• ˌmelioˈristic, adjective
• ˈmeliorist, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• melio·rist noun adjective
• melio·ristic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meliorism¹

1855–60; < Latin melior better + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of meliorism¹

C19: from Latin melior better

Example Sentences

As an inevitable result of all the influences that constitute his world he finds himself yearning for meliorism as the crownpiece.

From Project Gutenberg

So he becomes the eloquent apostle of meliorism, proclaiming his gospel without abatement.

From Project Gutenberg

Meliorism,—the desire to better the conditions of life for themselves and for their children—animated them.

From Project Gutenberg

Meliorism, the theory that there is in nature a tendency to better and better development.

From Project Gutenberg

Be they false or be they true, the meaning of them is this meliorism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advance
• advancement
• change
• development
• enhancement
• gain
• growth
• increase
• progress
• recovery
• renovation
• revision
• rise
• upgrade