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anarchism - 4 dictionary results

an⋅ar⋅chism

  [an-er-kiz-uhm]
Use anarchism in a Sentence
–noun
1. a doctrine urging the abolition of government or governmental restraint as the indispensable condition for full social and political liberty.
2. the methods or practices of anarchists, as the use of violence to undermine government.
3. anarchy.
Origin:
1635–45; anarch(y) + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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an·ar·chism   (ān'ər-kĭz'əm)   
n.  
  1. The theory or doctrine that all forms of government are oppressive and undesirable and should be abolished.
  2. Active resistance and terrorism against the state, as used by some anarchists.
  3. Rejection of all forms of coercive control and authority: "He was inclined to anarchism; he hated system and organization and uniformity" (Bertrand Russell).
an'ar·chis'tic (-kĭs'tĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Anarchism

An"arch*ism\, n. [Cf. F. anarchisme.] The doctrine or practice of anarchists.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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anarchism [(an-uhr-kiz-uhm)]

The belief that all existing governmental authority should be abolished and replaced by free cooperation among individuals.

Note: Anarchy is sometimes used to refer to any state of chaos or lawlessness.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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