anti-intellectualism

The term is a modern English compound, built from classical elements to describe a specific cultural attitude. The prefix "anti-", of Greek origin, establishes a stance of opposition. It is attached to "intellectual", which itself derives from the Latin intellectus, meaning the power of understanding or the mind. The final suffix "-ism", also of Greek origin, transforms the adjective into a noun denoting a systematic practice, principle, or ideology. Thus, the word's literal construction logically builds the meaning of "the doctrine or practice of being against the life of the mind," directly reflecting its modern definition of hostility to intellectual pursuits and their proponents.

Structure: anti (against) + intellect (mind) + ual + ism (doctrine) anti: From Greek via Latin, meaning "against" or "opposite". A prefix indicating opposition. intellect: From Latin intellectus (understanding, perception), from intelligere (to understand). The core morpheme denoting the faculty of reasoning and understanding. ual: A Latin-derived adjectival suffix. ism: A suffix from Greek -ismos, forming nouns of action, state, or doctrine.