Timonism

Pronunciation

• GenAm enPR: tīʹmÉ™nÄ­zÉ™m, IPA: /ˈtaɪmÉ™nɪzÉ™m/

Origin

Timon + -ism, from the 5th-century BC person Timon of Athens (as described by Plutarch, Lucian, Aristophanes), possibly by way of William Shakespeare's play Timon of Athens (c. 1607). Used in the Westminster Review (maybe after the earlier "Timonist") in an 1840 review. (Coining erroneously attributed to Herman Melville, who popularized it later in 1852.)

Full definition of Timonism

Noun

1. A form of bitter misanthropy, a despair leading to hatred or contemptuous rejection of mankind, like Timon of Athens.This most cruel betrayal led him to Timonism.
2. A bitter or cynical utterance or behavior, in the manner of Timon of Athens.Pay no attention to his Timonisms, it's a pose.

Synonyms

• misanthropy

Derived terms

• Timonist

Related terms

• Timonean, Timonian
• Timonize