optimism
UK[ˈɒptɪmɪzəm]US[ˈɑːptɪmɪzəm]
n
a feeling that good things will happen and that something will be successful; the tendency to have this feeling
n
(philosophy) the belief that the world is good and that good will ultimately prevail over evil
Morpheme Breakdown
optim
ism
optim
best
ism
doctrine, state
Etymology
the word 'optimism' entered english in the 18th century from french optimisme. its core component, the latin optimus (best), originates from the proto-indo-european root op-, meaning "to choose, wish for, work," which also gives us 'option'. the philosophical term was coined to describe the doctrine, famously associated with leibniz, that the actual world is the "best of all possible worlds." the literal logic of the morphemes—'the best' + 'doctrine/state'—thus evolved from a specific philosophical stance to the more general modern abstract meaning denoting a hopeful disposition and a tendency to expect the most favorable outcome.
Analysis
Structure: optim (best) + ism (doctrine, state)
- optim: from latin optimus, meaning "best". functions as the root conveying the core concept of 'the best'.
- ism: from greek -ismos, a suffix forming nouns of action, state, condition, or doctrine. functions as a nominalizer, turning the adjective concept into a noun denoting a state or philosophy.
Examples
despite the setbacks, she maintained her characteristic optimism.
his optimism about the company's future proved to be well-founded.
a healthy dose of optimism can be a powerful motivator.