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rigorism

American  
[rig-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈrɪg əˌrɪz əm /

noun

  1. extreme strictness.

  2. (in Roman Catholic moral philosophy) the theory that in doubtful cases of conscience no course may be followed that is contrary to Catholic law and doctrine.


rigorism British  
/ ˈrɪɡəˌrɪzəm /

noun

  1. strictness in judgment or conduct

  2. the religious cult of extreme self-denial

  3. RC theol the doctrine that in cases of doubt in moral matters the stricter course must always be followed

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of rigorism

From the French word rigorisme, dating back to 1695–1705. See rigor, -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The quarrel over “crossed arms” during prayers, which, for a time, tore Côte d’Ivoire’s Muslim community apart, illustrates this kind of rigorism.

From Salon • Sep. 13, 2018

For other instances of disregard by Kaye of the variations in substance and degree of the rigorism of genuine rigorists, see ibid.

From A Letter to Dion by Viner, Jacob

He refuses to worry over the merits of hedonism versus rigorism, the distinction between hypothetical and categorical imperatives, or the claim of ethics to be called a science.

From College Teaching Studies in Methods of Teaching in the College by Klapper, Paul

Mr. Shund will not permit religious rigorism to put restraints upon his enjoyments.

From The Progressionists, and Angela. by Bolanden, Conrad von

None the less, there has been a good deal of clandestine recruiting, and bitter recriminations against this turcophile attitude on the part of Italy—this "reactionary rigorism against every manifestation of sympathy for the Albanian cause."

From Old Calabria by Douglas, Norman

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