chauvinism
[ shoh-vuh-niz-uh m ]
/ ˈʃoʊ vəˌnɪz əm /
noun
zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory.
biased devotion to any group, attitude, or cause: religious chauvinism.
the denigration, disparagement, and patronization of either sex based on the belief that one sex is inferior to the other and thus deserving of less than equal treatment or benefit.
Compare male chauvinism.
Origin of chauvinism
1865–70; < French
chauvinisme, equivalent to
chauvin jingo (named after N.
Chauvin, a soldier in Napoleon's army noted for loud-mouthed patriotism) +
-isme
-ism
OTHER WORDS FROM chauvinism
chau·vin·ist, nounWords nearby chauvinism
chaussier's areola,
chausson,
chaussure,
chautauqua,
chautemps,
chauvinism,
chauvinist,
chav,
chavannes,
chavette,
chavez
Example sentences from the Web for chauvinism
British Dictionary definitions for chauvinism
chauvinism
/ (ˈʃəʊvɪˌnɪzəm) /
noun
aggressive or fanatical patriotism; jingoism
enthusiastic devotion to a cause
smug irrational belief in the superiority of one's own race, party, sex, etc
male chauvinism
Derived forms of chauvinism
chauvinist, noun chauvinistic, adjective chauvinistically, adverbWord Origin for chauvinism
C19: from French
chauvinisme, after Nicolas
Chauvin, legendary French soldier under Napoleon, noted for his vociferous and unthinking patriotism
Cultural definitions for chauvinism
chauvinism
Exaggerated belief in the supremacy of one's nation, class, caste, or group. Chauvinism usually involves xenophobia.