n. [ L. barbarismus, Gr. barbarismo`s; cf. F. barbarisme. ] 1. An uncivilized state or condition; rudeness of manners; ignorance of arts, learning, and literature; barbarousness. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A barbarous, cruel, or brutal action; an outrage. [ 1913 Webster ] A heinous barbarism . . . against the honor of marriage. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. An offense against purity of style or language; any form of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular language. See Solecism. [ 1913 Webster ] The Greeks were the first that branded a foreign term in any of their writers with the odious name of barbarism. G. Campbell. [ 1913 Webster ] | 