perfectionism
Meaning
the refusal to accept any standard short of perfection.
a doctrine or belief that moral, religious, or spiritual perfection can be achieved.
Structure
Usage
her perfectionism often delayed the project's completion as she repeatedly revised minor details.
the artist's perfectionism was both his greatest strength and a source of immense personal frustration.
some philosophical traditions warn against perfectionism, arguing it can lead to unnecessary anxiety.
Etymology
the word 'perfectionism' is built upon the latin root 'perfectus', the past participle of 'perficere', meaning 'to finish, to complete'. this verb itself is a compound of 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'facere' (to do or make). the suffix '-ion' transforms the adjective into the abstract noun 'perfection', denoting the state of being complete or flawless. finally, the addition of '-ism', a suffix denoting a distinctive practice or philosophy, creates the term for the doctrine or tendency that insists on this flawless state as an attainable or required standard. thus, the etymological journey moves from the concrete act of thorough completion to an abstract philosophy demanding an ideal state.
Analysis
perfect (from latin 'perfectus', meaning 'completed, finished', acting as the core adjective root); ion (from latin '-ionem', a suffix forming nouns of action or state); ism (from greek '-ismos', a suffix forming nouns of practice, system, or doctrine).