particularism

[ per-tik-yuh-luh-riz-uh m, puh-tik- ]
/ pərˈtɪk yə ləˌrɪz əm, pəˈtɪk- /

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

Words nearby particularism

particular, particular affirmative, particular average, particular negative, particular solution, particularism, particularity, particularize, particularly, particulars of claim, particulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for particularistic

  • 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

  • On the other hand, it was Webster who, at this time, appeared narrow and particularistic.

    The Middle Period 1817-1858|John William Burgess

  • An immigrant, Hamilton had no particularistic ties; he was by instinct a “continentalist” or federalist.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8|Various

  • 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

British Dictionary definitions for particularistic

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