Epicureanism

[ep-i-kyoo-ree-uh-niz-uhm, -kyoor-ee-] Origin

Ep·i·cu·re·an·ism

[ep-i-kyoo-ree-uh-niz-uhm, -kyoor-ee-]
noun
1.
the philosophical system or doctrine of Epicurus, holding that the external world is a series of fortuitous combinations of atoms and that the highest good is pleasure, interpreted as freedom from disturbance or pain.
2.
(lowercase) epicurean indulgence or habits.
Also, Ep·i·cur·ism [ep-i-kyoo-riz-uhm, ep-i-kyoor-iz-uhm] .


Origin:
1745–55; epicurean + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To epicureanism

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Epicureanism has a plethora of syllables.
So is floccinaucinihilipilification. Does it mean:
the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).
an obscure term ostensibly referring to a lung disease caused by silica dust, sometimes cited as one of the longest words in the English language.
Collins
World English Dictionary
epicurean (ˌɛpɪkjʊˈriːən)
 
adj
1.  devoted to sensual pleasures, esp food and drink; hedonistic
2.  suitable for an epicure: an epicurean feast
 
n
3.  an epicure; gourmet
 
epicu'reanism
 
n

Epicurean (ˌɛpɪkjʊˈriːən)
 
adj
1.  of or relating to the philosophy of Epicurus
 
n
2.  a follower of the philosophy of Epicurus
 
Epicu'reanism
 
n

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

epicureanism
1751, with reference to a philosophy; 1847 in a general sense, from epicurean + -ism.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
Epicureanism [(ep-i-kyoo-ree-uh-niz-uhm, ep-i-kyoor-ee-uh-niz-uhm)]

A form of hedonism defended by several philosophers of ancient Greece. For the Epicureans, the proper goal of action was pleasure — a long-term pleasure, marked by serenity and temperance.

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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