particularism

[ per-tik-yuh-luh-riz-uhm, puh-tik- ]

/ pərˈtɪk yə ləˌrɪz əm, pəˈtɪk- /

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noun

exclusive attention or devotion to one's own particular interests, party, etc.

the principle of leaving each state of a federation free to retain its laws and promote its interests.

Theology. the doctrine that divine grace is provided only for the elect.

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Origin of particularism

From the French word particularisme, dating back to 1815–25. See particular, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM particularism

par·tic·u·lar·ist, nounpar·tic·u·lar·is·tic, adjectivepar·tic·u·lar·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use particularism in a sentence

On the other hand, it was Webster who, at this time, appeared narrow and particularistic.
The Middle Period 1817-1858|John William Burgess
Why did their polity not break up into a wilderness of tiny social groups, each jealous and particularistic, like medieval Europe?
Government in Republican China|Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
Crawford was considered as rather more particularistic, especially in his views on the question of internal improvements.
The Middle Period 1817-1858|John William Burgess
Without the State, the particularistic, private side of man's nature would have free sway to express itself.
Ethics|John Dewey and James Hayden Tufts

An immigrant, Hamilton had no particularistic ties; he was by instinct a “continentalist” or federalist.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8|Various

British Dictionary definitions for particularism

particularism

/ (pəˈtɪkjʊləˌrɪzəm) /

noun

exclusive attachment to the interests of one group, class, sect, etc, esp at the expense of the community as a whole

the principle of permitting each state or minority in a federation the right to further its own interests or retain its own laws, traditions, etc

theol the doctrine that divine grace is restricted to the elect

Derived forms of particularism

particularist, noun, adjectiveparticularistic, 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