realist
UK[ˈrɪə.lɪst]US[ˈriː.ə.lɪst]
n
a person who accepts a situation as it is and deals with it accordingly, rather than imagining things as they would like them to be.
n
an artist, writer, or philosopher who believes in representing things in a way that is true to real life.
Morpheme Breakdown
real
ist
real
actual, true
ist
one who practices or believes
Etymology
the term 'realist' is a relatively modern formation, built upon the established adjective 'real'. the core morpheme 'real' traces back to the latin noun 'res', signifying 'thing' or 'matter', which evolved into the philosophical concept of that which has objective existence. the suffix '-ist', entering english via latin and french, systematically creates nouns indicating a person associated with a particular practice or belief system. thus, a 'realist' is literally 'one concerned with things as they are', a meaning that logically extends from its philosophical roots into both everyday language and specific artistic and philosophical movements that prioritize truthful representation over idealization.
Analysis
Structure: real (actual, true) + ist (one who practices or believes)
'real' originates from late latin 'realis', meaning 'relating to things', from latin 'res' (thing, matter). its functional role is the core semantic base. 'ist' is a suffix of greek origin (via latin '-ista'), denoting an adherent to a practice or doctrine, and functions as an agent noun suffix.
Examples
she's a realist who focuses on practical solutions rather than wishful thinking.
the 19th-century novelist was celebrated as a great realist for her detailed portraits of ordinary life.
in foreign policy, he was a realist who prioritized national security over ideological goals.