Barbarism

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbɑː(ɹ)bəɹɪz(ə)m/

Definitions

1. A practice or expression that is deemed as uncivilized or lacking in cultural sophistication
2. Behavior or customs considered wild or uncultured ; language that violates standard norms or correctness ; an action marked by harshness or brutality
3. Customs or practices regarded as lacking refinement or sophistication ; speech or writing containing improper or ungrammatical expressions ; a deed exhibiting severe cruelty or savagery

Etymology: The Greeks coined "barbaros" to describe anyone whose speech sounded unintelligible to them, probably from an imitation of meaningless syllables like "bar-bar." Non-Greeks were simply those who could not be understood. Greek grammarians then used "barbarismos" for a word or pronunciation that sounded foreign, a mistake within Greek itself, and Latin borrowed that sense as "barbarismus." The word's meaning shifted from speech to people. Greek and Roman writers came to apply "barbaros" to whole peoples they considered culturally inferior, so the label moved from a sound to a set of customs. English took the word from Latin, and it kept both senses: a faulty or foreign-sounding expression, and a people or practice regarded as uncivilized.

Synonyms: savagery, brutality, crudeness, uncivilized behavior, inhumanity

Antonyms: civilization, refinement, culturedness, humanity, politeness