orientalism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the scholarly knowledge of Asian cultures and languages and people
    Oriental Studies.
  2. noun the quality or customs or mannerisms characteristic of Asian civilizations
    • orientalisms can be found in Mozart's operas

WordNet

O`ri*en"tal*ism noun
Etymology
Cf. F. orientalisme.
Definitions
  1. Any system, doctrine, custom, expression, etc., peculiar to Oriental people.
  2. Knowledge or use of Oriental languages, history, literature, etc. London Quart. Rev.

Webster 1913