optimist (optimist)

and a. [= F. opt i miste = Sp. Pg. optimist a = It. ottimista = G. optimist; as optim-ism + -ist.] I. n. 1. One who believes in the metaphysical doctrine of optimism. The optimists of our century have followed in the wake of Spinoza or Leibnitz. N. A. Rev., CXXVII. 464. 2. One who believes in the present or ultimate supremacy of good over evil; one who always hopes for and expects the best; a person of hopeful disposition. One such I knew long since, a white-haired man, A genial optimist . Bryant, Old Man's Counsel. II. a. Of or pertaining to optimism; optimistic: as, the optimist view. optimistic (op-ti-mis'tik), a. [ optimist + -ic.] Of, pertaining to, or characterized by optimism; disposed to take the most hopeful view of a matter; hopeful; sanguine. If we confine ourselves to the health of women, we shall find that the figures hardly justify us in a uming a purely optimistic attitude. Pop . Sci. Mo., XXVIII. 610. optimistically (op-ti-mis'ti-kal-i), adv. In accordance with optimism, or the view that everything is ordered for the best; in a hopeful or sanguine manner; hopefully.