Behavior Definition, Prefix, Suffix, Ologies and Isms, Behavior Information and Meaning


See also ATTITUDES; MOODS; PSYCHOLOGY.

aberrance, aberrancy
the condition or state of being deviant or aberrant.
abnormalism
1. having a tendency towards, or being in a state of abnormality.
2. something that is abnormal.
abnormalist
a person who is characterized as being in some way abnormal.
adventurism
impulsive, rash, or irresponsible actions or attitudes, especially in the sphere of public life. —adventurist, n. —adventuristic, adj.
alarmism
the attitudes and behavior of one who exaggerates dangers or always expects disaster. —alarmist, n.
alogy
Obsolete, illogicality, unreasonableness. —alogic, alogical, adj.
amazonism
the taking on of masculine habits and occupations by women.
Arcadianism
the dress and conduct suitable to a pastoral existence, usually with reference to the idealized description of pastoral life in literature. —Arcadian, n., adj.
arrivism
1. the state of having recently achieved wealth or position, especially by unscrupulous or unethical means.
2. behavior typical of arrivism. —arriviste, n., adj.
asceticism
a severe self-deprivation for ethical, religious, or intellectual ends. —ascetic, n., adj.
atrabilarian
1. a sad and gloomy individual.
2. an irritable and bad-tempered person. —atrabilious, adj.
attitudinarianism
the practice of striking poses, either to mask or to express personal feelings. —attitudinarian, n.
attorneyism
the characteristics attributed to attorneys; slyness; unscrupulousness.
automatism
an automatic or involuntary action. —automatist, n.
autophoby
Rare. an abnormal fear of being egotistical, of referring to oneself.
babuism, babooism
Derogatory. the practices of Hindus who had only a slight English education. From bābū, a Hindi title equivalent to Sir or Mr.
Barnumism
showmanship or any activity taking advantage of people’s credulity or desire for sensational entertainment, as practiced by P.T. Barnum (1810-91).
bashawism
the characteristics of a bashaw, especially tyranny and imperiousness.
beatnikism
attitudes or behavior typical of a beatnik or one who has rejected conventions of society.
bestiality
a debased brutality, the opposite of humane activity: “I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.” (Othello). See also SEX.
bizarrerie
strangeness or grotesqueness, especially strange or unconventional behavior.
blackguardism
behavior typical of a blackguard, characterized by use of obscene language and by roguish actions. —blackguardery, n. —blackguardly, adj.
bohemianism
the practice of individualistic, unconventional, and relaxed conduct, of ten in an artistic context, expressing disregard for or opposition to ordinary conventions. —bohemian, n., adj.
boobyism
conduct characteristic of a stupid person or clown. —boobyish, adj.
braggartism
a braggart’s usual activity; bragging. —braggartist, braggart, n.
brutalitarianism
the practice of advocating or engaging in brutality. —brutalitarian, adj.
brutism
the set of attributes that characterize a brute. —brutish, adj.
bullyism
the actions of a bully.
careerism
the characteristics associated with one who advances his career even at the expense of his pride and dignity. —careerist, n.
ceremonialism
an addiction to ceremonies or ritualism, especially in social and other nonreligious contexts. —ceremonialist, n.
characterology
the study of character, especially its development and its variations. —characterologist, n. —characterologic, characterological, adj.
charlatanism
the quality of having characteristics of a fraud. —charlatanic, adj.
consuetude
a habit or custom; usual behavior.
coxcombry
foolish conceit or vanity; behavior typical of a coxcomb.
daredevilism
reckless or foolhardy behavior. Also called daredeviltry. —daredevil, n.
debacchation
Obsolete, raving or maniacal behavior, as that of a bacchanal.
decorum
proper behavior; action that is seemly and in good taste. —decorous, adj.
die-hardism
the attitudes or behavior of one who stubbornly holds on to something, as an outdated view, untenable position, etc. —die-hard, n., adj.
dilettantism
an admiration of or interest in the arts, often used pejoratively to designate a shallow, undisciplined, or frivolous attraction. —dilettante, n., adj. —dilettantish, adj.
donkeyism
1. an action characterized as being donkeylike; foolishness.
2. the characteristic of being like a donkey. —donkeyish, adj.
do-nothingism
idleness or indolence as a habit or regular practice.
dowdyism
the habit of being shabbily dressed. —dowdyish, adj.
dramaticism
the habit of performing actions in a histrionic manner.
ergoism
a pedantic adherence to logically constructed rules.
erraticism
an action or behavior that deviates from the norm; unpredictability in behavior.
exhibitionism
1. a deliberately conspicuous or exaggerated mode of behavior, intended to gain attention.
2. the abnormal practice of indecent exposure. —exhibitionist, n. —exhibitionistic, adj.
faineance, faineancy
laziness; the state of being idle. —faineant, adj.
fairyism
the quality of being a fairy or having fairylike characteristics.
fanfaronade
swaggering boastfulness; vainglorious speech or behavior. —fanfaron, n.
faustianism
spiritual or intellectual dissatisfaction combined with a desire for power or material advantage. After Johann Faust (c.1480-c.1538), German scholar portrayed by Marlowe and Goethe. —faustian, adj.
fiendism
Rare. evil attitudes and actions.
flunkyism, flunkeyism
1. the quality or state of being a servant or toady.
2. behavior typical of flunkyism. —flunky, flunkey, n.
formularism
the condition of adhering solely to set formulas. —formularistic, adj.
fossilism
behavior typical of an earlier time; old-fashioned or stuffy attitudes; fogyism.
fraternalism
the condition of having brotherly qualities. —fraternalist, n. —fraternalistic, adj.
functionarism
the administrative duties of officials. —functionary, n., adj.
gangsterism
the habit of using organized violence to achieve one’s ends. —gangster, n.
gasconism
boastful or bragging behavior. Also gasconadc.
gelastic
1. inclined to laughter.
2. laugh-provoking in conduct or speech.
gnathonism
the extremely obsequious behavior of a sycophant. —gnathonic, adj.
gourmandism, gormandism
1. a strong penchant for good food; gourmetism; epicurism.
2. gluttony. —gourmand, gormand, n., adj.
grandeeism
attitudes and actions modeled on the grandees, Iberian nobles of the highest rank.
gypsyism, gipsyism
the activities and style of living attributed to gypsies. —gypsy, gipsy, n. —gypsyish, gipsyish, adj.
harlequinade
a performance involving Harlequin or other characters of the Commedia dell’Arte; hence, buffoonery or clownish behavior. Also harlequinery.
hermitism
the practice of retiring from society and living in solitude, based upon a variety of motives, including religious. Also called hermitry, hermitship. —hermitic, hermitical, adj.
histriconism
histrionicism.
histrionicism
a tendency to theatrical or exaggerated action. Also histriconism. —histrionics, n. —histrionic, adj.
hoboism
the state of being a hobo or vagrant.
holidayism
a dedication to taking holidays.
hooliganism
lawless behavior or conduct typical of a hooligan.
horsyism, horseyism
looking or acting in some way like a horse. —horsy, horsey, adj. —horsily, adv.
Hottentotism
any behavior attributed to the Hottentots, in particular, a kind of stammering or stuttering.
hoydenism
ill-bred, boisterous, or tomboyish behavior in a woman. —hoyden, n. , —hoydenish, adj.
humbuggery
1. pretentious behavior or attitudes.
2. imposing or deceptive behavior. —humbug, humbugger, n.
humoralism, humouralism
an obsolete physiological explanation of health, disease, and behavior, asserting that the relative proportions of four elemental bodily fluids or humors (blood-sanguinity, phlegm-sluggishness, black bile-melancholy, and yellow bile-choler) determined a person’s physical and mental constitution. —humoral, humoural, adj.
hyphenism
division of patriotic loyalties, ascribed by some to foreign-born citizens in the United States.
idiocrasy
an idiosyncrasy or personal mannerism or peculiarity.
idiosyncrasy
a mannerism, action, or form of behavior peculiar to one person or group. —idiosyncratic, idiosyncratical, adj.
impudicity
lack of shame or modesty.
indecorum
1. indecorous, improper, or unseemly behavior.
2. an indecorous thing or action.
Indianism
the customs or traditions of Indians, especially American Indians. —Indianist, n.
insurrectionism
the quality of revolting against established authority. —insurrectionist, n., adj. —insurrectionary, adj.
irascibility
a tendency to irritability and sudden fits of anger. Also called irascibleness. —irascible, adj.
Johnsonianism
the quality of having traits or characteristics like those of Samuel Johnson. —Johnsonian, n., adj.
juvenilism, juvenility
Often pejorative. a mode of action or thought characterized by apparent youthfulness. —juvenile, n., adj.
landlordism
the actions and characteristics of a landlord. —landlordly, adj.
larkinism
frolicsomeness.
larrikinism
the state of being noisy, rowdy, or disorderly. —larrikin, adj., n.
libertinism
a tendency to unrestrained, often licentious or dissolute conduct. Also libertinage. —libertine, n., adj.
lionism
the pursuit or adulation of celebrities. —lionize, v.
litigiousness
1. an inclination to dispute or disagree with others, esp. through civil suits.
2. argumentativeness. —litigious, adj.
Londonism
the customs and characteristics of London and of those who reside there. —Londonish, adj.
macaronism, maccaronism
a tendency to foppishness. —macaroni, maccaroni, n.
maenadism
behavior characteristic of a maenad or bacchante; raging or wild behavior in a woman. —maenadic, adj.
maidism
1. the state or quality of being a maid, a young or unmarried woman.
2. behavior or attitude typical of maidism.
mannerism
a style of action, bearing, thought, or speech peculiar to an individual or a special group. See also ART. —mannerist, n. —manneristic, adj.
martinetism
an emphasis on scrupulous attention to the details of methods and procedures in all areas of life. —martinet, n. —martinetish, adj.
maudlinism
Rare.
1. a tendency in temperament to be mawkishly sentimental and tearfully emotional.
2. a degree of drunkenness characterized by mawkish emotionalism. —maudlin, adj.
melodramatics
behavior typical of that portrayed in a melodrama, i.e., characterized by extremes of emotion.
mercuriality
1. the state or quality of having a lively, fickle, volatile, or erratic attitude or charaeter.
2. an instance of such behavior. —mercurial, adj.
milksopism
1. the state or quality of being a weak and ineffectual person.
2. behavior or attitudes typical of a such a person.
mimicism
an intense (and sometimes injurious) tendency to mimicry.
mountebankism
boastful and pretentious behavior; quackery or any actions typical of a mountebank. Also mountebankery.
muckerism
behavior characteristic of a boorish person.
mutualism
the principle or practice of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare. —mutualist, n.
namby-pambyism
weak or insipid behavior or attitude. —namby-pamby, n., adj.
Negroism
a quality or trait distinctive of Negroes.
ninnyism
conduct characteristic of a ninny, or silly fool. —ninnyish, adj.
nomadism
a rootless, nondomestic, and roving lifestyle. —nomadic, adj.
nudism
the practice of going nude. —nudist, n., adj.
Occidentalism
the characteristics and customs of people situated in western regions, especially the Western Hemisphere, as western European countries and the United States. —Occidentalist, n.
ogreism
the condition of resembling an ogre in actions and characteristics. —ogreish, adj.
opportunism
the conscious policy and practice of taking selfish advantage of circumstances, with little regard for principles. —opportunist, n. —opportunistic, adj.
Orientalism
the habits, qualities, and customs of Oriental peoples. —Orientalist, Orientality, n.
parrotism
mindless imitation. Also called parrotry.
particularism
the adherence to an exclusive subject, interest, or topic. —particularist, n. —particularistic, adj.
parvenuism
1. behavior or attitudes typical of one who has recently acquired wealth or social position.
2. the state or quality of being a parvenu or upstart. —parvenu, n., adj.
patricianism
1. the state of being a member of one of the original citizen families of ancient Rome.
2. the state of being noble or high born. —patriciate, n.
plebeianism
the quality of having common manners, character, or style. —plebeian, n., adj.
pococurantism
a tendency to conduct expressing indifference, nonchalance, or lack of concern. —pococurante, pococurantist, n. —pococurante, adj.
poltroonism
the characteristics associated with being a coward or wretch. Also called poltroonery. —poltroonish, adj.
polypragmatism
a penchant for meddlesomeness and officiousness. Also polypragmacy, polypragmaty. —polypragmatist, n. —polypragmatic, adj.
pornerast
one whose conduct is unchaste, licentious, or lewd.
praxeology, praxiology
the study of human behavior and conduct. —praxeological, adj.
preciosity
excessive fastidiousness or over-refinement in language or behavior.
precipitancy
hasty or rash action, behavior, etc.; undue or ill-considered haste. —precipitant, adj.
priggism
the strict adherence to correctness of behavior. —prigger, n. —priggish, adj.
profligacy
1. dissolute or immoral behavior.
2. reckless and extravagant spending or behavior. —profligate, adj.
protagonism
the actions and qualities of a protagonist. —protagonist, n.
protervity
a tendency to peevish, petulant, or insolent conduct.
psychagogics, psychagogy
a method of affecting behavior by assisting in the choice of desirable life goals. —psychagogue, n.
puppyism
affected or impertinent behavior; conceit.
quixotism
a tendency to absurdly chivalric, visionary, or romantically impractical conduct. —quixotic, quixotical, adj.
rabulism
Rare. a tendency to railing and quibbling. —rabulistic, rabulous, adj.
reactionism
the condition of being reactionary or resistant to change. —reactionist, n., adj.
reporterism
the characteristics of a reporter.
reunionism
the qualities of a reunion or social gathering. —reunionist, n.
revolutionism
the state of being revolutionary. —revolutionary, revolutionist, n. —revolutional, revolutionary, adj.
routinism
the excessive adherence to a routine. —routinist, n.
rowdyism
noisy, quarrelsome, or disorderly conduct or behavior. —rowdy, n., adj.
ruffianism
behavior typical or characteristic of a brutal and violent person. —ruffian, n.
Satanism
diabolical behavior. —Satanist, n.
savagism
the condition of having uncivilized or primitive qualities. —savagedom, n.
schoolboyism
the practices characteristic of a schoolboy. —schoolboyish, adj.
scoundrelism
the characteristics and behavior of a scoundrel. —scoundrelly, adj.
seclusionist
a person who seeks solitude or removes himself from the society of others; a recluse.
sensorialism
the quality of having sensation. —sensorial. adj.
seraphism
Archaic. an ecstatic devotion, especially religious.
sermonist
1. a person who delivers sermons.
2. a person who adopts a preaching attitude.
Shandyism
a tendency to whimsical conduct in accord with absurd theories from past ages. [Allusion to the actions of Walter, father of the hero in Sterne’s Tristram Shandy.]
spasmodism
a tendency to conduct marked by outbursts of strong emotion. —spasmodist, n. —spasmodic, spasmodical, adj.
Sundayism
activity characteristic of the observance of Sunday as a holy day.
supermanism
the condition of having qualities or traits like those of a superman. —supermanly, adj.
sybaritism
a love of luxury. [Allusion to Sybaris, a Greek colony in Italy not-ed for its luxury.] —sybarite, n. —sybaritic, adj.
sycophantism
the practice of self-serving or servile flattery. Also called sycophancy. —sycophant, n. —sycophantic, adj.
sympathism
the condition of having coinciding emotions in two or more people.
tantalism
Obsolete. a form of teasing or harassment in which a hope of some good or benefit is instilled in the victim, only to be repeatedly dashed and the reward shown to be unattainable.
tartufflsm
hypocrisy. [Allusion to Molière’s hypocritical hero, Tartuffe.] Also called tartuffery.
theatricalism
a tendency to actions marked by exaggerations in speech or behavior. Also called theatricism.
tidyism
the habit of extreme neatness.
Timonism
a personal despair leading to misanthropy. [Allusion to Shake-speare’s Timon of Athens.]
toadyism
a fawning flattery, obsequiousness, or sycophancy. —toady, n. —toadyish, adj,
tokenism
formal or superficial compliance with a law, requirement, convention, etc.
tomboyism
the conduct characteristic of a tomboy, a boyish girl. —tomboyish, adj.
Turcism, Turkism
Obsolete, the attitudes and actions of the Turks.
ultracrepidarianism
the habit of giving opinions and advice on matters outside of one’s knowledge or competence. —ultracrepidarian, n., adj.
vagabondism
1. the tendency to wander from place to place without a settled home; nomadism.
2. the life of a tramp; vagrancy. Also called vagabondage. —vagabond, n., adj.
vandalism
the malicious destruction or defamation of public or private property. —vandal, vandalization, n. —vandalish, adj.
vanguardism
the actions or thoughts of members of a vanguard, those at the forefront of a movement, fad, etc. —vanguardist, n.
Victorianism
the affection for or emulation of Victorian tastes or thoughts.
Vikingism
the actions characteristic of a Viking, i.e., savagery, rapaciousness, etc.
voyeurism
the compulsion to seek sexual gratification by secretively looking at sexual objects or acts; the actions of a Peeping Tom. —voyeur, n. —voyeuristic, adj.
vulpinism
Rare. the state or quality of being foxlike, especially crafty or cunning. —vulpine, adj.
vulturism
behavior or character typical of a vulture, especially in the figurative sense of being rapacious. —vulturous, adj.
werewolfism
the quality of having the traits of a werewolf.
Yahooism
a penchant for rowdyism. [Allusion to Swift’s characters in Gulliver’s Travels.]
yokelism
1. the state or quality of being a yokel or country bumpkin.
2. behavior, language, etc, typical of a yokel.
zanyism
the style of a zany or buffoon.
zealotism, zealotry
a tendency to undue or excessive zeal; fanaticism.
zelotypia
Obsolete.
1. abnormal zeal.
2. morbid jealousy. —zelotypic, adj.