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pessimism

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pessimism \Pes"si*mism\, n. [L. pessimus worst, superl. of pejor
   worse: cf. F. pessimisme. Cf. Impair.]
   1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine that everything in
      nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the
      world is wholly evil; -- opposed to optimism.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of a
      situation.
      [1913 Webster]

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