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idealism

noun

  1. philosophical view that reality is immaterial
L322236 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ʌɪˈdɪəlɪz(ə)m/ / /ʌɪˈdiːəlɪz(ə)m/

noun

Etymology: First attested 1796, from ideal + -ism.

  1. The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.
  2. The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.
  3. An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.