primitivism

[ prim-i-ti-viz-uh m ]
/ ˈprɪm ɪ tɪˌvɪz əm /

noun

a recurrent theory or belief, as in philosophy or art, that the qualities of primitive or chronologically early cultures are superior to those of contemporary civilization.
the state of being primitive: the primitivism of the Stone Age peoples.
the qualities or style characterizing primitive art.

Origin of primitivism

First recorded in 1860–65; primitive + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM primitivism

prim·i·tiv·ist, noun prim·i·tiv·is·tic, adjective un·prim·i·tiv·is·tic, adjective

Words nearby primitivism

primitive gut, primitive methodist, primitive node, primitive polynomial, primitive streak, primitivism, primitivo, primo, primo de rivera, primo de rivera y orbaneja, primogenitor

Example sentences from the Web for primitivistic

  • At times Dupont de Nemours seems to identify it with a primitivistic past.

    Benjamin Franklin |Frank Luther Mott

British Dictionary definitions for primitivistic

primitivism
/ (ˈprɪmɪtɪˌvɪzəm) /

noun

the condition of being primitive
the notion that the value of primitive cultures is superior to that of the modern world
the principles, characteristics, etc, of primitive art and artists

Derived forms of primitivism

primitivist, noun, adjective primitivistic, adjective

Cultural definitions for primitivistic

primitivism

A style of art that attempts to imitate the art of primitive cultures or of children.