Orientalism

American  

[awr-ee-en-tl-iz-uhm, ohr-] / ˌɔr iˈɛn tlˌɪz əm, ˌoʊr- /

noun

(often lowercase)

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

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

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

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Orientalism British  

/ ˌɔːrɪˈɛntəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. knowledge of or devotion to the Orient

2. an Oriental quality, style, or trait

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Other Word Forms

• Orientalist noun
• Orientalistic adjective
• anti-Orientalism noun
• anti-Orientalist noun

Etymology

Origin of Orientalism

First recorded in 1760–70; oriental + -ism

Example Sentences

It landed just three years after Edward Said’s critique of the western gaze, “Orientalism,” which helped lead a dramatic shift within the academy and broader literary circles to decenter European and American voices.

From Los Angeles Times

But some Qataris see hypocrisy, prejudice and Orientalism in the condemnation, and in some international media coverage, even if they acknowledge human rights violations.

From New York Times

Even some Qataris who welcome criticism as an invitation for improvement say that they have been dismayed by the media coverage, which they believe is underpinned by prejudices based in racism, Orientalism and Islamophobia.

From New York Times

He painted smaller canvases — nudes and interiors influenced by Impressionism and Orientalism — modeling spaces and volumes with perspective lines and shifts in tone.

From Washington Post

French art was in the dying throes of a vogue for Orientalism.

From Washington Post