particularism

[per-tik-yuh-luh-riz-uh m, puh-tik-]

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.

Origin of particularism

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

Related formspar·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. 2018

Examples from the Web for particularistic

Historical Examples of particularistic

An immigrant, Hamilton had no particularistic ties; he was by instinct a “continentalist” or federalist.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 8
Various
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
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
On the other hand, it was Webster who, at this time, appeared narrow and particularistic.
The Middle Period 1817-1858
John William Burgess

British Dictionary definitions for particularistic

particularism

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 Formsparticularist, noun, adjectiveparticularistic, adjective

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