Today's Etymology: "Femalism" -- 1858 R. D. Bulwer-Lytton World & his Wife I. iv. 145 The innocent Skins, who not having attained to years of British femaleism, did not persist in forcing her attentions on the reluctant Bob.

1858   R. D. Bulwer-Lytton World & his Wife I. iv. 145   The innocent Skins, who not having attained to years of British femaleism, did not persist in forcing her attentions on the reluctant Bob.

femalism, n.

Pronunciation:  Brit. /ˈfiːmeɪlɪz(ə)m/ , U.S. /ˈfiˌmeɪlˌɪzəm/

Forms:  17– femaleism, 18– femalism.

Etymology:  < female adj. + -ism suffix.

 

  The condition, quality, or nature of being a female; femaleness. Also: feminine character; femininity.

 

But femaleism prevailed, and I examined the contents.

 

1779   Duchess of Devonshire Sylph I. xvii. 207   But femaleism prevailed, and I examined the contents.

1858   R. D. Bulwer-Lytton World & his Wife I. iv. 145   The innocent Skins, who not having attained to years of British femaleism, did not persist in forcing her attentions on the reluctant Bob.

1873   J. Middlemass Wild Georgie III. i. 13   Sir Henry had a righteous horror of any one he cared for being a victim to unprotected femalism, and thus becoming a prey to any adventurer who might chance to be fascinated by her.

1917   V. Thompson Woman vi. 105   A‥lot of women are still under the dominance of the old heredities that shaped and deformed womanhood into femalism.

1974   N. Rorem Final Diary 1961-72 259   Is it my would-be genius that must produce a child, or my femalism that needs to engender genius?

2001   Fin (Nexis) 30 July 32   The print campaign focuses on ‘female-ism’, or how women juggle their many roles as mother, wife, homemaker and professional.