absolutism

First attested in 1753 (in the theological sense); attested in 1830 in the political sense. From absolute +‎ -ism, based after French absolutisme.^[1]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈæb.sə.luː.tɪz.m̩/, /ˈæb.sə.ljuː.tɪz.m̩/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈæb.səˌluˌtɪz.m̩/, /ˈæb.səˌljuˌtɪz.m̩/

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absolutism (countable and uncountable, plural absolutisms)

1. (theology) Doctrine of preordination; doctrine of absolute decrees; doctrine that God acts in an absolute manner. [First attested in the mid 18^th century.]^[1]
3. (political science, sociology) The principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary government; Synonym of despotism. [First attested in the early 19^th century.]^[1]

   Hyponyms: absolute monarchy, benevolent absolutism, enlightened absolutism, enlightened despotism

   • 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, chapter IV, in History of New England, volume I, page 217:

     The element of absolutism and prelacy was more controlling in the counsels of the rival corporation.

   • 2019, John Gascoigne, Science and the State, page 54:

     As absolutism became more consolidated in Europe, and particularly in France, such nonabsolutist states tended to define themselves in opposition to their absolutist rivals: hence, those features of their government which differed from absolutism tended to be given special prominence.

5. (philosophy) Belief in a metaphysical absolute; belief in Absolute. [First attested in the late 19^th century.]^[1]
6. Positiveness; the state of being absolute.

   Hyponym: Meiklejohnian absolutism

7. (rare) The characteristic of being absolute in nature or scope; absoluteness.
   • 2003, Ruth R. Wisse, The Modern Jewish Canon: A Journey Through Language, →ISBN:

     It was the absolutism of his ambition to be a perfect writer (and perhaps also the perfect son) that imperiled him.

• “absolutism”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “absolutism”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Borrowed from French absolutisme. By surface analysis, absolut +‎ -ism.

absolutism n (uncountable)

1. absolutism

absolut +‎ -ism

absolutism c (uncountable)

1. absolute monarchy (as a form of government), dictatorship
2. the principle of abstaining from alcohol

• nykterhet
• nykterism
• absolutist

• absolutism in Svenska Akademiens ordlista över svenska språket (8th ed., 1923)