What does "lionism" mean?
The 19th-century practice of bringing a lion (“an interesting person or object”) into one’s home as entertainment for visitors.
Lionism
/ˈlaɪənɪzm̩/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The 19th-century practice of bringing a lion (“an interesting person or object”) into one’s home as entertainment for visitors.
- Grammar: lionism is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: excursion.
- Usage evidence: [page 262] The practice of "Lionism" originates in some feelings which are very good,—in veneration for intellectual superiority, and gratitude for intellectual gifts; and its form and prevalence are determined by the fact, that literature has reached a larger class, and interested a different order of people from any who formerly shared its advantages. A wise man might, at the time of the invention of printing, have foreseen the age of literary "Lionism," and would probably have smiled at it as a temporary extravagance. […] [page 280] A man so seriously devoted to an object is not likely to find himself the guest of the coarsest perpetrators of "lionism." He is not likely to accept hospitality on condition of being made a show. But if he should find himself for once placed on a footing with the asseverating gentleman—the immortal Nokes—in the print before us, he will not part with his good humour.
How to use "lionism"
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Source and review context
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The 19th-century practice of bringing a lion (“an interesting person or object”) into one’s home as entertainment for visitors. historical
"[page 262] The practice of "Lionism" originates in some feelings which are very good,—in veneration for intellectual superiority, and gratitude for intellectual gifts; and its form and prevalence are determined by the fact, that literature has reached a larger class, and interested a different order of people from any who formerly shared its advantages. A wise man might, at the time of the invention of printing, have foreseen the age of literary "Lionism," and would probably have smiled at it as a temporary extravagance. […] [page 280] A man so seriously devoted to an object is not likely to find himself the guest of the coarsest perpetrators of "lionism." He is not likely to accept hospitality on condition of being made a show. But if he should find himself for once placed on a footing with the asseverating gentleman—the immortal Nokes—in the print before us, he will not part with his good humour."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of lionism. alt-of, rare
"The practice of "Lionism" originates in some feelings which are very good,—in veneration for intellectual superiority, and gratitude for intellectual gifts; and its form and prevalence are determined by the fact, that literature has reached a larger class, and interested a different order of people from any who formerly shared its advantages. A wise man might, at the time of the invention of printing, have foreseen the age of literary "Lionism," and would probably have smiled at it as a temporary extravagance."
- 3 The state of being the lion (see above) of 19th-century hosts. historical
"In the whirl and giddiness of his lionism, he had contracted debts with the same recklessness as he had done every thing else. But his sense of honour was now galled when these debts were to be paid, and he found himself without money to pay them."
- 4 The practice of lionizing (“treating a person as a celebrity or someone important”); also, the state of being lionized. broadly
"So sudden; all common Lionism, which ruins innumerable men, was as nothing to this. […] [T]hese Lion-hunters were the ruin and death of [Robert] Burns. […] They gathered round him in his Farm; hindered his industry; no place was remote enough from them. He could not get his Lionism forgotten, honestly as he was disposed to do so."
- 5 The state of a person having a leonine facies, that is, facial features which resemble those of a lion as a result of some disease, especially a form of leprosy which causes leontiasis (“a medical condition characterized by an overgrowth of the cranial and facial bones”).
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The ideals of Rastafarianism. Rastafari
"[page 73] Lionism transcends even Haile Selassie who merely came in the name of the Lion – as "The Conquering Lion of Judah" or as the "man-lion from Mount Zion." […] [page 75] Most Rastas attempt to become lions by attempting to syncretise and use all of these elements [Anancism, Judaic-Christianity, and African-Original Vibrations], as a means for their survival and progress. But some of these factors have ceased to be sources of strength – they have now become fetters and chains. […] Yet it is here, in this repressed sphere of African original roots vibrations, that the enduring foundations of true lionism is to be found. Ultimately, then, the return to Lionism means destroying or transcending major ingredients of our inherited selves – albeit our acquired (slave) selves."
Proper Noun
- 1 Alternative letter-case form of Lionism (“the ideals of and membership in the Lions Club”). alt-of, rare
"Sanusi says of his tenure as a Lions Club member: "I have always believed that lionism and clubs alike are anti-Islamic but this disposition, however, changed when I was lured into the club by a friend. And upon realising its objectives, I promise not to rest on my oars in making Lions Club the desire of all who want to render service to humanity.""
- 2 The ideals of and membership in the Lions Club. uncountable
"We have learned that Lionism is a spirit . We have learned that an atmosphere has created Lionism, and that Lionism in return creates an atmosphere."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"[page 262] The practice of "Lionism" originates in some feelings which are very good,—in veneration for intellectual superiority, and gratitude for intellectual gifts; and its form and prevalence are determined by the fact, that literature has reached a larger class, and interested a different order of people from any who formerly shared its advantages. A wise man might, at the time of the invention of printing, have foreseen the age of literary "Lionism," and would probably have smiled at it as a temporary extravagance. […] [page 280] A man so seriously devoted to an object is not likely to find himself the guest of the coarsest perpetrators of "lionism." He is not likely to accept hospitality on condition of being made a show. But if he should find himself for once placed on a footing with the asseverating gentleman—the immortal Nokes—in the print before us, he will not part with his good humour."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lionism"?
Common synonyms include: excursion.
How do you use "lionism" in a sentence?
[page 262] The practice of "Lionism" originates in some feelings which are very good,—in veneration for intellectual superiority, and gratitude for intellectual gifts; and its form and prevalence are determined by the fact, that literature has reached a larger class, and interested a different order of people from any who formerly shared its advantages. A wise man might, at the time of the invention of printing, have foreseen the age of literary "Lionism," and would probably have smiled at it as a temporary extravagance. […] [page 280] A man so seriously devoted to an object is not likely to find himself the guest of the coarsest perpetrators of "lionism." He is not likely to accept hospitality on condition of being made a show. But if he should find himself for once placed on a footing with the asseverating gentleman—the immortal Nokes—in the print before us, he will not part with his good humour.
How do you pronounce "lionism"?
Pronounced /ˈlaɪənɪzm̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From lion (“big cat (Panthera leo); (figurative) famous person regarded with interest and curiosity; person who shows attributes associated with the lion such as courage, ferocity, or strength”) + -ism (suffix forming names of schools of thought, systems, or theories, or of tendencies of action, behaviour, condition, state, condition, or opinion belonging to a class or group of persons). Etymology 1 sense 1 (“19th-century practice of bringing an interesting person or object into one’s home as entertainment for visitors; state of being such a person or object”) refers to the lions previously on display at a menagerie in the Tower of London, which existed till the 19th century. Etymology 1 sense 4 refers to the Lion of Judah, a hereditary title of Haile Selassie I (1892–1975), the Emperor of Ethiopia, who is revered by some members of the Rastafari movement as the messiah; the lion is thus a symbol of Rastafarianism.
Etymology 2
See Lionism.
Etymology 3
From Lion(s Club) + -ism (suffix forming tendencies of action, behaviour, condition, state, condition, or opinion belonging to a class or group of persons).
Etymology 4
See lionism.