ideology
The origin and history of ideology.
Etymology
Coined in French in 1796 by Antoine Destutt de Tracy from idéo- + -logie. Napoleon later twisted the related word "ideologue" into an insult for his political opponents, which is partly why "ideology" can carry a negative tone today.
Class of 1796
ideology first entered the language around 1796. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1796 →