legalism
strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.
Theology.
the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.
(initial capital letter) (in Chinese philosophy) the principles and practices of a school of political theorists advocating strict legal control over all activities, a system of rewards and punishments uniform for all classes, and an absolute monarchy.
Origin of legalism
1Other words from legalism
- le·gal·ist, noun
- le·gal·is·tic, adjective
- le·gal·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Words Nearby legalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use legalism in a sentence
Two great intellectual currents came together over the past century to bring America to this state of hyper-legalism.
The writer is ill-equipped to estimate the peculiar value of Roman legalism to mankind.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind | Herbert George WellsWith this legalism went a spirit of intense exclusiveness and narrow ecclesiasticism.
Outspoken Essays | William Ralph IngeIs it to a disinterested and even-handed justice, the high legalism of the Golden Rule, which would be the humanist's way?
Preaching and Paganism | Albert Parker FitchWe have, then, the introduction of legalism into the casual affairs of the tropics, and the vanishing of primitive license.
The Pacific Triangle | Sydney Greenbie
(come into being a Pharisaic legalism) Page 140: Changed subconsious to subconscious.
The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit | Ralph Waldo Trine
British Dictionary definitions for legalism
/ (ˈliːɡəˌlɪzəm) /
strict adherence to the law, esp the stressing of the letter of the law rather than its spirit
Derived forms of legalism
- legalist, noun, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse