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pessimism

The origin and history of pessimism.

Etymology

From French pessimisme, ultimately from Latin pessimus ("worst"). The philosophical sense was popularized by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer in the early 1800s.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1800

Class of 1800

pessimism first entered the language around 1800. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1800 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.