Nationalistic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

  1. Characterized by devotion to one's own nation and the belief that its interests should take priority over those of other nations or international concerns
  2. Defined by an intense devotion to a specific nation, where its interests and welfare are deemed more important than global or international issues
  3. Driven by a strong loyalty to a particular nation, emphasizing that its needs should outweigh those of other nations and global matters

Etymology: The adjective in question is derived from the noun that denotes a collective identity tied to a shared culture, language, or history. This noun itself emerged prominently in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period when the idea of nations as distinct political and cultural entities gained significant traction in Europe. The concept evolved alongside movements that emphasized self-determination and political sovereignty, often opposing imperial or dynastic rule. Adding the suffix that forms adjectives meaning "pertaining to" or "characterized by" creates the term to describe attitudes, ideologies, or behaviors that strongly support or promote the interests and identity of a particular nation. This suffix, common in English, comes from Latin "-isticus," which was adopted into English through French, and it is used to form adjectives indicating a relationship or adherence to a specific principle or system. The resulting word entered English usage likely in the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of nationalist movements across Europe. It was employed to describe both the positive attributes of patriotism and cultural pride, as well as at times the more exclusionary or aggressive facets of political nationalism. Over time, the term has come to encompass a broad range of attitudes, from benign cultural pride to fervent political ideology. Thus, the adjective reflects not just a linguistic formation but also a historical and ideological evolution, rooted in the changing landscape of nation-states and political identities that shaped the modern world.

Synonyms: patriotic, chauvinistic, jingoistic, sectional, xenophobic

Antonyms: international, global, cosmopolitan, universal, neutral