Nietzschean, n. and a.
(ˈniːtʃɪən)
Also Nietzschian.
[f. the name of the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) + -an.]
A. n. A follower, admirer, or imitator of Nietzsche; one who holds or supports Nietzsche's principles or views, esp. his theories of the superman, and the division of humanity into masters and slaves. B. adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Nietzsche or his views.
| 1904 To-Day XLIV. 49/2 This moustache..was Nietzschean at the root, to end in the twirl of the sub-officer. 1908 G. B. Shaw Sanity of Art 6 The Nietzscheans were only too glad to see Tolstoy catching it. 1908 M. A. Mügge Friedrich Nietzsche iii. ii. 331 There is no doubt that Goethe was a Nietzschean aristocrat. 1910 Daily Chron. 9 Feb. 6/3 The volumes of this edition are beginning to make me believe that Nietzsche's greatest enemies are the Nietzscheans. 1915 London Q. Rev. Jan. 92 One need only take up any of Nietzsche's books at random to see how alien this is to the ‘Nietzschian’ spirit. 1921 Glasgow Herald 24 Nov. 6 It is only fitting that the standpoint of that eminent Nietzschean, Mr A. M. Ludovici, should have an individuality of its own. 1932 D. B. Wyndham Lewis Emperor of West i. 22 The ironic pen of Machiavelli drew..the portrait of the ideal Prince:..the original Nietzschean Non-Moral Overman. 1959 [see bounderish a.]. 1968 Times Lit. Suppl. 25 Apr. 436/3 In his earlier years he [sc. Orage] was a Theosophist, a Nietzschean, and a Fabian Socialist. 1973 Listener 9 Aug. 170/1 The Nietzschean idea that since God is dead, everything is permitted. |
Hence ˈNietzscheanism; ˈNietzscheanite; ˈNietzscheism; ˈNietzscheite.
| 1908 H. L. Mencken Philos. Nietzsche iii. ii. 278 We have a hero who calls himself a dionysian and offers Nietzscheism as a substitute for Christianity. 1908 M. A. Mügge Friedrich Nietzsche i. ii. 82 It was the Dawn of Nietzscheanism. Ibid. iii. ii. 352 Nietzscheanites hope their master's influence will create in England a sense for the true higher culture. 1909 Chesterton Orthodoxy iii. 73 If Nietzsche had not ended in imbecility, Nietzscheism would end in imbecility. 1910 ― G. B. Shaw 180 You must make sure of the presence of some Nietzscheite professor, who will explain to him that such a course might possibly serve to eliminate the unfit. 1914 Times 31 Oct. 7/1 Mistaken Nietzscheanism always tempts to the development of the devil in man. 1916 Galsworthy in Scribner's Mag. Jan. 21/2 The Neo-German conception of the State..may be inverted Nietzscheism. 1968 Times Lit. Suppl. 25 Apr. 437/1 This untidy mixture of socialism, Nietzscheanism, and mysticism is a fair expression of Orage's untidy thought. |