Id"i*ot*ism (?), n. [F. idiotisme, L. idiotismus the way of fashion of a private person, the common or vulgar manner of speaking, Gr. , fr. to put into or use common language, fr. . See Idiot.]

1.

An idiom; a form, mode of expression, or signification, peculiar to a language.

Scholars sometimes give terminations and idiotisms, suitable to their native language, unto words newly invented. M. Hale.

2.

Lack of knowledge or mental capacity; idiocy; foolishness.

Worse than mere ignorance or idiotism. Shaftesbury.

The running that adventure is the greatist idiotism. Hammond.

 

© Webster 1913.

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