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Definition of pacifism - 4 dictionary results

pac⋅i⋅fism

  [pas-uh-fiz-uhm]
Use pacifism in a Sentence
–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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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.
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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Cultural Dictionary

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.

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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Word Origin & History

pacifism 
1902, from Fr. pacifisme, from pacifique (see pacific). Pacifist is 1906, from Fr. pacifiste.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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