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con·sum·er·ism

(kən-smə-rĭz′əm)

1. The movement seeking to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards.

2. The theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial.

3. Attachment to materialistic values or possessions: deplored the rampant consumerism of contemporary society.

con·sumer·ist n.

con·sum′er·istic adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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