barbarism Meaning, Definition & Usage

Bar"ba*rism noun

Etymology

L. barbarismus, Gr.; cf. F. barbarisme.

Definitions

1. An uncivilized state or condition; rudeness of manners; ignorance of arts, learning, and literature; barbarousness. Prescott.
2. A barbarous, cruel, or brutal action; an outrage.

   A heinous barbarism . . . against the honor of marriage. Milton.

3. An offense against purity of style or language; any form of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular language. See Solecism.

   The Greeks were the first that branded a foreign term in any of their writers with the odious name of barbarism. G. Campbell.