Where does “idealism” come from?
Idealism comes from English ideal, from French idéal, from Latin idea, from Ancient Greek ἰδέα meaning "form or appearance," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wéydos meaning "appearance."
idealism (English): The property of a person of having high ideals...
Definitions
- The property of a person of having high ideals...
Ancestry of “idealism”, step by step
idealism traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English ideal
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ideal | Optimal; being the best possibility; Perfect,... |
| 2 | French | idéal | ideal |
| 3 | Latin | ideālis | ideal |
| 4 | Latin | idea | idea; prototype |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | ἰδέα | form, shape; look, appearance, semblance; type,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | εἴδω | to see; I see |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | weyd- | to see |
via French idéalisme
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | idéalisme | idealism |