Etymology

humanism

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Today it means: The study of the humanities or the liberal arts; literary (especially classical) scholarship. Full definition →

First used 19th c.German Humanismus
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The story

  1. German · borrowed fromHumanismus
  2. English todayhumanism

From human + -ism, borrowed from German Humanismus, coined by Friedrich Immanuel Niethammer in 1808.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 19th c. The study of the humanities or the liberal arts; literary (especially classical) scholarship.
  • from 19th c. Specifically, a cultural and intellectual movement in 14th-16th century Europe characterised by attention to classical culture and a promotion of vernacular texts, notably during the Renaissance.
  • from 19th c. An ethical system that centers on humans and their values, needs, interests, abilities, dignity and freedom; especially used for a secular one which rejects theistic religion and superstition.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.