ism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (zm)
n. Informal
A distinctive doctrine, system, or theory: “Formalism, by being an ‘ism,’ kills form by hugging it to death”
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-ism
suff.
Action; process; practice: terrorism.
Characteristic behavior or quality: heroism.
State; condition; quality: pauperism.
State or condition resulting from an excess of something specified: strychninism.
Distinctive or characteristic trait: Latinism.
Doctrine; theory; system of principles: pacifism.
An attitude of prejudice against a given group: racism.
[Middle English -isme, from Old French, from Latin -ismus, from Greek -ismos, n. suff..]