pacifism
Meaning
The belief that war and violence are morally wrong and that disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
The policy or practice of refusing to participate in war or military service.
Structure
Usage
His pacifism led him to become a conscientious objector during the war.
The activist's life was dedicated to the principles of nonviolence and pacifism.
While respecting his pacifism, others argued that military intervention was sometimes necessary.
Etymology
The word "pacifism" is built upon the Latin root pac-, meaning "peace", which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root pag-/pak- meaning "to fasten, to make firm," an agreement or covenant being a "fastening" of terms. This root evolved into the Latin verb pacare, "to pacify or make peaceful," which gave rise to the English verb "pacify." By adding the Greek-derived suffix -ism, which denotes a distinctive doctrine or movement, the 20th-century term "pacifism" was formed. It thus logically names the doctrine (-ism) centered on the act of making peace (pacify-), concretizing the abstract belief in the rejection of war and the active pursuit of peaceful resolution.
Analysis
- pac: From Latin pax (genitive pacis), meaning "peace". It functions as the core root conveying the concept of peace. - ify: A verb-forming suffix from Latin -ificare, meaning "to make". In this word, it is part of the base verb "pacify". - ism: A noun-forming suffix from Greek -ismos, denoting a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy. It indicates the doctrine or belief system.