optimism

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | 297 words | Copyright

optimism doctrine of Leibniz that the present world is the best of all possible worlds XVIII; view that presumes the predominance of good; disposition to hope for or expect the best XIX. — F. optimisme, f. L. optimum, sb. use of n. of optimus best; see -ISM.
So optimist XVIII, optimum XIX.

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T. F. HOAD. "optimism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "optimism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-optimism.html

T. F. HOAD. "optimism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-optimism.html

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