Chauvinism

Chauvinism
Chauvinism Chau"vin*ism, n. [F. chauvinisme, from Nicolas Chauvin, a character represented as making grotesque and threatening displays of his attachment to his fallen chief, Napoleon I., in 1815 (in the play La Cocarde tricolor, 1831).] 1. Blind and absurd devotion to a fallen leader or an obsolete cause; hence, absurdly vainglorious or exaggerated patriotism. [1913 Webster]

2. exaggerated and unreasoning partisanship to any group or cause; -- as, male chauvinism, i.e. belief in the superiority of males. [PJC] -- {Chau"vin*ist}, n. & adj. -- {Chau`vin*is"tic}, a. [1913 Webster]

Note: To have a generous belief in the greatness of one's country is not chauvinism. It is the character of the latter quality to be wildly extravagant, to be fretful and childish and silly, to resent a doubt as an insult, and to offend by its very frankness. --Prof. H. Tuttle. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Chauvinism — Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory.[1] It is an eponym of a possibly fictional French soldier Nicolas Chauvin who was credited with many… …   Wikipedia

  • chauvinism — is still used in its original meaning, associated with the eponymous Napoleonic veteran Nicolas Chauvin, of ‘exaggerated or aggressive patriotism’. In English (though not in French) it has developed a range of extended uses signifying other kinds …   Modern English usage

  • chauvinism — (n.) 1870, exaggerated, blind patriotism, from Fr. chauvinisme (1843), from Nicholas Chauvin, soldier, possibly legendary, of Napoleon s Grand Armee, notoriously attached to the Empire long after it was history. Popularized in France 1831 through …   Etymology dictionary

  • chauvinism — index intolerance Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • chauvinism — [n] extreme devotion to a belief or nation bellicism, ethnocentricity, fanatical patriotism, fanaticism, jingoism, narrowness, nationalism, zealotry; concept 689 Ant. unbias …   New thesaurus

  • chauvinism — ► NOUN 1) exaggerated or aggressive patriotism. 2) excessive or prejudiced support for one s own cause, group, or sex. ORIGIN named after Nicolas Chauvin, a Napoleonic veteran noted for his extreme patriotism …   English terms dictionary

  • chauvinism — [shō′və niz΄əm] n. [Fr chauvinisme, after N. Chauvin, soldier of Napoleon I, notorious for his attachment to the lost imperial cause] 1. militant, unreasoning, and boastful devotion to one s country; jingoism 2. unreasoning devotion to one s race …   English World dictionary

  • chauvinism — noun they have a tendency toward small mindedness and chauvinism Syn: jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, excessive nationalism, sectarianism, isolationism, flag waving; xenophobia, racism, ethnocentrism, ethnocentricity;… …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • chauvinism — chauvinist, n. chauvinistic, adj. chauvinistically, adv. /shoh veuh niz euhm/, n. 1. zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory. 2. biased devotion to any group, attitude, or cause. Cf. male chauvinism. [1865 70; < F …   Universalium

  • chauvinism — I (Roget s IV) n. 1. [Fanatical patriotism] Syn. jingoism, superpatriotism, ultranationalism, hawkishness; see aggression 2 , jingoism , patriotism . 2. [Unreasoning devotion to one s sex, race, etc.] Syn. male chauvinism, female chauvinism,… …   English dictionary for students

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