sciolism

American  

[sahy-uh-liz-uhm] / ˈsaɪ əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. superficial knowledge.

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sciolism British  

/ ˈsaɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. rare the practice of opinionating on subjects of which one has only superficial knowledge

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Other Word Forms

• sciolist noun
• sciolistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of sciolism

First recorded in 1750–60; from Late Latin sciol(us) “one who knows little,” (diminutive of scius “knowing”; conscious, -ole ¹ ) + -ism

Example Sentences

Here there is some genuine ground for the generally baseless and delusive opinion of self-complacent sciolism that he who runs may read Shakespeare. 

From A Study of Shakespeare by Gosse, Edmund

This is a point on which the ancients, I am aware, in their light-hearted sciolism laid great stress.

From A Modern Symposium by Dickinson, G. Lowes (Goldsworthy Lowes)

Sometimes, without a moment's warning, he would utter a paradox which from any one else might have seemed the mere recklessness of sciolism, but which, coming from him, was treasured in the memory.

From Letters of Lord Acton To Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone by Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron

And the husks of culture are pedantry and sciolism.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Philosophers, Volume 8 by Hubbard, Elbert

Few things are as distressing as the sciolism of a second-rate English editor of a classic.

From An American at Oxford by Corbin, John

Related Words

• illiteracy
• nescience