realist Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a philosopher who believes that universals are real and exist independently of anyone thinking of them
  2. noun a person who accepts the world as it literally is and deals with it accordingly
  3. noun a painter who represents the world realistically and not in an idealized or romantic style

WordNet

Re"al*ist noun
Etymology
Cf. F. réaliste.
Definitions
  1. (Philos.) One who believes in realism; esp., one who maintains that generals, or the terms used to denote the genera and species of things, represent real existences, and are not mere names, as maintained by the nominalists.
  2. (Art. & Lit.) An artist or writer who aims at realism in his work. See Realism, 2. 3. a person who avoids unrealistic or impractical beliefs or efforts. Contrasted to idealist or visionary.

Webster 1913