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What is a pessimist?

pessimist

 [pes-uh-mist]   Origin

pes·si·mist

   [pes-uh-mist]
noun
1.
a person who habitually sees or anticipates the worst or is disposed to be gloomy.
2.
an adherent of the doctrine of pessimism.
Origin:
1830–40; pessim(ism) + -ist

Can be confused: cynic, optimist, pessimist, skeptic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To Pessimist

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Pessimist is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
pessimism (ˈpɛsɪˌmɪzəm)
 
—n
1.  the tendency to expect the worst and see the worst in all things
2.  the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of evil over good
3.  the doctrine that this world is corrupt and that man's sojourn in it is a preparation for some other existence
 
[C18: from Latin pessimus worst, from malus bad]
 
'pessimist
 
—n
 
pessi'mistic
 
—adj
 
pessi'mistical
 
—adj
 
pessi'mistically
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

pessimist
"one who habitually expects the worst," 1836, from Fr. pessimiste (see pessimism).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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