laissez-faire
or lais·ser-faire
[ les-ey-fair; French le-sey-fer ]
/ ˌlɛs eɪˈfɛər; French lɛ seɪˈfɛr /
adjective
of, relating to, or conforming to the principles or practices of laissez faire.
Origin of laissez-faire
First recorded in 1815–25
OTHER WORDS FROM laissez-faire
lais·sez-faire·ism, nounWords nearby laissez-faire
lairy,
laisser-aller,
laissez aller,
laissez faire,
laissez passer,
laissez-faire,
laissez-passer,
lait d'amandes,
laitance,
laith,
laity
Definition for laissez-faire (2 of 2)
laissez faire
or lais·ser faire
[ les-ey fair; French le-sey fer ]
/ ˌlɛs eɪ ˈfɛər; French lɛ seɪ ˈfɛr /
noun
the theory or system of government that upholds the autonomous character of the economic order, believing that government should intervene as little as possible in the direction of economic affairs.
the practice or doctrine of noninterference in the affairs of others, especially with reference to individual conduct or freedom of action.
Origin of laissez faire
1815–25; < French: literally, allow to act
Example sentences from the Web for laissez-faire
British Dictionary definitions for laissez-faire
laissez faire
laisser faire
/ (ˌlɛseɪ ˈfɛə, French lese fɛr) /
noun
- Also called: individualism the doctrine of unrestricted freedom in commerce, esp for private interests
- (as modifier)a laissez-faire economy
indifference or noninterference, esp in the affairs of others
Derived forms of laissez faire
laissez-faireism or laisser-faireism, nounWord Origin for laissez faire
French, literally: let (them) act
Cultural definitions for laissez-faire
laissez-faire
[ (les-ay-fair, lay-zay-fair) ]
French for “Let (people) do (as they choose).” It describes a system or point of view that opposes regulation or interference by the government in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary to allow the free enterprise system to operate according to its own laws.