Orientalism

[ awr-ee-en-tl-iz-uh m, ohr- ]

/ ˌɔr iˈɛn tlˌɪz əm, ˌoʊr- /

noun (often lowercase)

a peculiarity or idiosyncrasy of the peoples of Asia, especially the East.

the character or characteristics of the peoples of Asia, especially the East.

the knowledge and study of Asian, especially Eastern languages, literature, etc.

Origin of Orientalism

First recorded in 1760–70; oriental + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM Orientalism

O·ri·en·tal·ist, nounan·ti-O·ri·en·tal·ism, nounan·ti-O·ri·en·tal·ist, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for orientalism

The last section, “Orientalism,” is exquisite and gilded, with golden-hued floral wallpaper.
What Drives Fashion Designer Dries Van Noten|Sarah Moroz|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brad Gooch on how the ghost of Edward Said's 'Orientalism' haunts the work.
Marina Warner’s Stranger Magic Reconsiders the Arabian Nights|Brad Gooch|March 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Orientalism was the equivalent of an academic beach book during in the summer of 1979—a “cult bible,” says Warner.
Marina Warner’s Stranger Magic Reconsiders the Arabian Nights|Brad Gooch|March 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He sought for a word, and hung between chivalry and orientalism.
Marriage|H. G. Wells

It is the stand-point of Orientalism, or of the Asiatic thought.
Pedagogics as a System|Karl Rosenkranz
By association of ideas with the orientalism of Sultana he was called by the girls the Bashibazook.
This Freedom|A. S. M. Hutchinson
One would think that the way to obtain patronage of a person would be to praise him, but this would be considered an orientalism.
As A Chinaman Saw Us|Anonymous
This was the first undiluted Orientalism which came to Rome.
The Religion of Numa|Jesse Benedict Carter

British Dictionary definitions for orientalism

Orientalism

/ (ˌɔːrɪˈɛntəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

knowledge of or devotion to the Orient

an Oriental quality, style, or trait

Derived forms of Orientalism

Orientalist, nounOrientalistic, adjective

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