particularism

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

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

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

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

Origin of particularism

1
From the French word particularisme, dating back to 1815–25. See particular, -ism

Other words from particularism

  • par·tic·u·lar·ist, noun
  • par·tic·u·lar·is·tic, adjective
  • par·tic·u·lar·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use particularism in a sentence

  • Fortunately there has been to-day no Bismarck to profit by the opportunity given by the Southern particularists.

    The New Germany | George Young
  • In such a case, he guarded against giving them the least hope from the particularists of the South.

    Two Chancellors | Julian Klaczko

British Dictionary definitions for particularism

particularism

/ (pəˈtɪkjʊləˌrɪzəm) /


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

  2. 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

  1. theol the doctrine that divine grace is restricted to the elect

Derived forms of particularism

  • particularist, noun, adjective
  • particularistic, 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