barbarism

[In Sw. & Ger. barbarism: Dan., Dut., & Fr. bar bar is me; Sp., Port., & Ital. barbarismo.] I. Of deficiency in civilisation, education, culture, or polish: 1. Of nations: Absence of civilisation; existence in the lowest stage with respect to culture that the human race is at present found. Example, the aborigines of Australia. "Divers great monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin."-Sir J. Davies: Ireland 2. Of individuals : Absence of culture, great ignorance, want of manners, incivility. "Moderation ought to be had in tempering and managing the Irish, to Irish, to bring them from their delight of licentious barbarism unto the love of goodne and civility." Spenser : State of Ireland. IL Of deficiency in humanity: Cruelty, relentle hardne of heart, whatever be the amount of external polish or intellectual culture. In this sense, BARBARITY (q.v.) is the more common term. "They must perforce have melted, And barbarism itself have pitied him." Shakesp.: Richard II., V. 2. III. Of deficiency in purity of speech: An impropriety of speech; a form of speech contrary to the rules of a language, and which a foreigner or uneducated person might be expected to use. Such improprieties may be in a phrase, in a word, in spelling, or in pronunciation. "The language is as near approaching to it, as our modern barbarism will allow which is all that can be expected from any now extant."-Dryden: Juvenal (Dedication).