Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
The belief that possible things exist, as well as actual things.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: government, human-sciences, philosophy, politics, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: actualism
noun
The theory that the geographical environment sets certain constraints, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: geography, natural-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An approach that pragmatically focuses on achievable goals rather than impossible ideals.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Any of various socialist reform movements.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, derogatory, sometimes, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Borrowed from French possibilisme. By surface analysis, Latin possibil|is, ~e (“that can be done”) + -ism, from Latin po|ssum, ~(te)sse, ~tuī (“be able”) + -ibil|is, ~e (“-able”). First attested in 1883.
Across languages
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
