naturism
(ˈneɪtjʊərɪz(ə)m)
[f. nature n. + -ism, or ad. F. naturisme.]
1. Naturalism in regard to religion.
| 1847 O. A. Brownson Wks. V. 531 The rejection of..grace, and the assertion, if the word may be permitted us, of mere naturism. Ibid. 534 Infidelity, irreligion, naturism. |
2. Nature-worship.
| 1886 Encycl. Brit. XX. 367/1 According to Pfleiderer the original religion must have been a kind of indistinct, chaotic naturism. 1891 tr. De la Saussaye's Man. Sci. Relig. xiii. 103 Better with Reville to separate worship of nature (which he calls naturism) from animism. |
3. Med. The attribution of everything to the workings of nature.
| a 1890 Dunglison Med. Dict. |
4. A movement for, or the practice of, communal nudity in private grounds.
| 1933 Gymnos Nov. 18/1 This book..is the first serious attempt to link Nudism with..Naturism, and Feminism. 1961 Daily Tel. 30 Oct. 11/2 Delegates..at the annual conference of the British Sun Bathing Association{ddd}agreed..to substitute ‘naturism’ for ‘nudism’. 1973 Guardian 28 June 6/1 The Central Council for British Naturism has launched a publicity campaign..[for] official ‘naturist beaches’. |