from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Idiotism \Id"i*ot*ism\, n. [F. idiotisme, L. idiotismus the way
of fashion of a private person, the common or vulgar manner
of speaking, Gr. ?, fr. ? to put into or use common language,
fr. ?. See {Idiot}.]
1. An idiom; a form, mode of expression, or signification,
peculiar to a language.
[1913 Webster]
Scholars sometimes give terminations and idiotisms,
suitable to their native language, unto words newly
invented. --M. Hale.
[1913 Webster]
2. Lack of knowledge or mental capacity; idiocy; foolishness.
[1913 Webster]
Worse than mere ignorance or idiotism.
--Shaftesbury.
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The running that adventure is the greatist idiotism.
--Hammond.
[1913 Webster]