Definition of ORIENTALISM

orientalism

Meanings

Plural: orientalisms

Noun

  • the scholarly knowledge of Asian cultures and languages and people
  • the quality or customs or mannerisms characteristic of Asian civilizations
    • "orientalisms can be found in Mozart's operas"
  • The tendency to represent eastern subjects, to assume stylistical characteristics original of the East.
  • An Eastern word, expression, or custom.
  • A patronizing Western attitude towards Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African societies.

Origin / Etymology

From French orientalisme, from oriental (“eastern, Oriental”). Equivalent to Oriental + -ism.

Synonyms

Oriental Studies

Scrabble Score: 13

orientalism is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
orientalism is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
orientalism is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

orientalism is a valid Words With Friends word