imperialism

(im-pé’ri-al-izm), n. [= F. impé- rialisme = Sp. Pg. imperialismo; as imperial + -ism.] 1. Imperial state or authority; the system of imperial government, 350 imperialism Roman imperialism had divided the world into master and slave. C. H. Pearson, Early and Middle Ages of Eng., xxxiy. 2. The principle or spirit of empire; promotion of or devotion to imperial interests. Under the pretext of Imperialism and farseeing statesmanship, the habitual and hitherto incurable fault of our Governments—especially of Tory Governments—has been to look too far ahead. W. R. Greg, Misc. E ays, 1st ser., p. 89.