non-utilitarian
|non-u-til-i-tar-i-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛriən/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪən/
not focused on usefulness
Etymology
'non-utilitarian' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the prefix 'non' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') plus 'utilitarian' (from 'utility', ultimately from Latin 'utilitas', where 'utilis' meant 'useful').
'utilitarian' developed from 'utility' (Old French 'utilité' < Latin 'utilitas' < Latin 'utilis'), then became English 'utilitarian' (relating to usefulness or the doctrine of utilitarianism); the negating prefix 'non-' was attached in Modern English to create 'non-utilitarian'.
Initially, 'utilitarian' emphasized usefulness or practical benefit; over time 'non-utilitarian' came to denote not only the simple absence of usefulness but a deliberate orientation toward aesthetic, moral, or symbolic values instead of function.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the stance, quality, or doctrine of rejecting utilitarian principles; emphasis on values other than practical usefulness (often used as 'non-utilitarianism').
The critic praised the artist's non-utilitarianism, noting how the works prioritized expression over function.
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Adjective 1
not based on or primarily concerned with utility or practical usefulness; valuing aesthetic, symbolic, moral, or expressive qualities over practical function.
The pavilion's design was deliberately non-utilitarian, emphasizing form and symbolism rather than ease of maintenance.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 11:24