cosmopolitanism

cos·mo·pol·i·tan

 (kŏz′mə-pŏl′ĭ-tn)

adj.

1. Pertinent or common to the whole world: an issue of cosmopolitan import.

2. Having constituent elements from all over the world or from many different parts of the world: the ancient and cosmopolitan societies of Syria and Egypt.

3. So sophisticated as to be at home in all parts of the world or conversant with many spheres of interest: a cosmopolitan traveler.

4. Ecology Growing or occurring in many parts of the world; widely distributed.

n.

1. A cosmopolitan person or organism; a cosmopolite.

2. A cocktail made of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Also called cosmo.

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cos′mo·pol′i·tan·ism n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cosmopolitanism

the opinions and behavior emerging from the theory that cultural and artistic activities should have neither national nor parochial boundaries. — cosmopolitan, n., adj.

See also: Attitudes

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the tolerance of or sympathy for noncommunist ideas and institutions, used as a charge against Soviet intellectuals.

See also: Communism

-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.