barbarianism

Variant of barbarian

barbarian definition

bar·bar·ian (bär ber′ē ən)

noun

  1. Obsolete an alien or foreigner: in the ancient world applied esp. to non-Greeks, non-Romans, or non-Christians
  2. a member of a people or group with a civilization regarded as primitive, savage, etc.
    1. a person who lacks culture
    2. a coarse or unmannerly person; boor
  4. a savage, cruel person; brute

Etymology: < L barbarus, barbarous

adjective

of or like a barbarian; esp.,
  1. uncivilized; crude
  2. cruel; barbarous

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.