1
2
obsolete : idiom sense 2
archaic

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French idiotisme, from Latin idiotismus common speech, from Greek idiōtismos, from idiōtēs

Noun (2)

idiot + -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of idiotism was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Idiotism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiotism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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