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Definition of pacifism - 4 dictionary results

pac⋅i⋅fism

[pas-uh-fiz-uhm]
–noun
1. opposition to war or violence of any kind.
2. refusal to engage in military activity because of one's principles or beliefs.
3. the principle or policy that all differences among nations should be adjusted without recourse to war.
Also, pa⋅cif⋅i⋅cism [puh-sif-uh-siz-uhm] .


Origin:
1905–10; < pacifisme. See pacific, -ism
pac·i·fism   (pās'ə-fĭz'əm)   
n.  
  1. The belief that disputes between nations should and can be settled peacefully.
    1. Opposition to war or violence as a means of resolving disputes.
    2. Such opposition demonstrated by refusal to participate in military action.

[French pacifisme, from pacifique, pacific; see pacific.]
pac'i·fist n., pac'i·fis'tic adj., pac'i·fis'ti·cal·ly adv.

pacifism

The view that war is morally unacceptable and never justified (see conscientious objector). The term is sometimes applied to the belief that international disputes should be settled peacefully.

Language Translation for : pacifism
Spanish: pacifismo,
German: der Pazifismus,
Japanese: 平和主義

pacifism 
1902, from Fr. pacifisme, from pacifique (see pacific). Pacifist is 1906, from Fr. pacifiste.
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