Posted by Cheryl (12.36.128.30) on March 21, 2001 at 09:50:15:
Main Entry: re·al·ism
Pronunciation: 'rE-&-"li-z&m, 'ri-&-
Function: noun
Date: 1817
1 : concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and
visionary
2 a : a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind; specifically : the
conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary
reality b : the conception that objects of sense perception or cognition
exist independently of the mind -- compare NOMINALISM
3 : fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate
representation without idealization
- re·al·ist /-list/ adjective or noun
- re·al·is·tic /"rE-&-'lis-tik, "ri-&-/ adjective
- re·al·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb