barbarianism
|bar-ba-ri-an-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌbɑr.bəˈrɪə.nɪ.zəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌbɑː.bəˈrɪə.nɪ.zəm/
uncivilized, savage behavior
Etymology
'barbarianism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'barbaros', where 'bar-bar' meant 'babbling' or 'incomprehensible speech'.
'barbaros' passed into Latin as 'barbarus' and Late Latin/Medieval Latin as 'barbarianus', into Old French as 'barbarie', into Middle English as 'barbarie'/'barbarian', and the modern English noun 'barbarianism' was formed by adding the suffix '-ism'.
Initially it meant 'a foreigner or non-Greek who spoke incomprehensibly'; over time it came to mean 'uncivilized or savage behavior' and also 'a barbarous expression' in linguistic contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality, condition, or practices of barbarians; extreme cruelty or savagery; uncivilized behavior.
Observers criticized the army for acts of barbarianism after the siege.
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Noun 2
a barbarous act, custom, or practice; an instance of uncivilized or inhumane behavior.
The ritual was condemned as barbarianism by international groups.
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Noun 3
in language use: a nonstandard, foreign, or grotesque word or expression considered incorrect or uncultured (a barbarous expression).
Some critics labeled the coinage a barbarianism rather than a legitimate neologism.
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Last updated: 2026/01/13 23:24