English Lexicon

Sentimentalism

/ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəlɪzəm/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A literary and artistic movement that emphasizes emotional expression and the importance of feelings.

    "The novel is a classic example of sentimentalism, focusing on the protagonist's emotional journey."
  2. 2

    An excessive or exaggerated display of emotion.

    "His sentimentalism was evident in the way he spoke about his childhood memories."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'sentimentalism' originates from the French word 'sentimentalisme', which was derived from 'sentiment', meaning 'feeling' or 'emotion'. It emerged in the 18th century during the Enlightenment, reflecting a philosophical movement that emphasized emotion over reason.

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