socialist

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsəʊʃəlɪst/ (UK); /ˈsoʊ.ʃə.lɪst/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from social and -ist,^[2][3] or from French socialiste,^[4][3] at first in reference to the teachings of Saint-Simon, the founder of French socialism.^[4] In the 18th century Latin socialista had been used, in a different sense, of the followers of the Dutch jurist Grotius.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who advocates socialism: 1827.^[4][5][2]

Semantic evolution

Etymonline notes that the word came into its modern sense in French about 1835.^[4] The adjective, of persons, is from 1839 and of ideas from 1848,^[5] and a member of a Socialist party from 1871.^[5] Socialist realism, the official artistic theory of the Soviet Union, is from 1934.^[4]

Timeline

• 1827 – an advocate of socialism.^[4][5]
• 1839 – the adjective.^[5]
• 1871 – a member of a Socialist party.^[5]
• 1934 – socialist realism.^[4]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A person who supports socialism, or a member of a socialist party.

Adjective

1. Of, relating to or supporting socialism.

Word family

• socialistic
• socialistically
• nonsocialist
• semisocialist
• antisocialist
• presocialist
• socialist party
• socialist realism

Related words

• socialism
• social
• society
• communist

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
3. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press