Optimism

Optimism
Optimism Op"ti*mism, n. [L. optimus the best; akin to optio choice: cf. F. optimisme. See {Option}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature, being the work of God, is ordered for the best, or that the ordering of things in the universe is such as to produce the highest good. [1913 Webster]

2. A habitual tendency or a present disposition to take the most hopeful view of future events, and to expect a favorable outcome even when unfavorable outcomes are possible; -- opposed to {pessimism}. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Optimism — • A metaphysical theory or an emotional disposition. Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Optimism     Optimism     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • optimism — op‧ti‧mis‧m [ˈɒptmɪzm ǁ ˈɑːp ] noun [uncountable] a feeling or belief that things will get better or be more successful in the future: • There is an air of optimism now in Taiwan. optimism about • Shares gained from renewed optimism about… …   Financial and business terms

  • optimism — OPTIMÍSM s.n. Concepţie filozofică potrivit căreia în lume binele precumpăneşte asupra răului, iar lumea existentă este cea mai bună dintre lumile posibile; atitudine a omului care priveşte cu încredere viaţa şi viitorul; tendinţă de a vedea… …   Dicționar Român

  • optimism — index confidence (faith), faith, longanimity Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • optimism — (n.) 1759, in translations of Voltaire, from Fr. optimisme (1737), from Mod.L. optimum, used by Leibnitz (in Théodicée, 1710) to mean the greatest good, from L. optimus the best (see OPTIMUM (Cf. optimum)). The doctrine holds that the actual… …   Etymology dictionary

  • optimism — [n] state of having positive beliefs anticipation, assurance, brightness, buoyancy, calmness, certainty, cheer, cheerfulness, confidence, easiness, elation, encouragement, enthusiasm, exhilaration, expectation, good cheer, happiness, hopefulness …   New thesaurus

  • optimism — ► NOUN 1) hopefulness and confidence about the future or success of something. 2) Philosophy the doctrine that this world is the best of all possible worlds. DERIVATIVES optimist noun optimistic adjective optimistically adverb. ORIGIN French… …   English terms dictionary

  • optimism — [äp′tə miz΄əm] n. [Fr optimisme < L optimus, best: see OPTIMUM] 1. Philos. a) the doctrine held by Leibniz and others that the existing world is the best possible b) the doctrine or belief that good ultimately prevails over evil 2. the… …   English World dictionary

  • Optimism — Positive thinking redirects here. For songs of that title, see Positive Thinking. The Oxford English Dictionary defines optimism as having hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a… …   Wikipedia

  • optimism — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ considerable, great, tremendous (esp. BrE) ▪ sunny (esp. AmE) ▪ some ▪ cautious, guarded …   Collocations dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”