Meanings
- obsoleteuncountableThe quality of being warlike; exercises suitable for war.
You, a poet, will understand when I say that the same relationship which exists between bourgeois art and art exists between militarism and martialism.
1971, Paul van Ostaijen, Patriotism, Inc., and Other Tales, page 1212 more examples
This perspective differed radically from the core values of realist writers; in this sense, it is suggested that realism should be regarded in aspects as the antithesis of martialism, and not (as many writers of international theory seem to hold) as its corollary.
2005, Karma Nabulsi, Traditions of War: Occupation, Resistance and The Law, page 82Malay war memory thus emerged with a similar form to that of Indian war memory, in the sense that memories of martialism are seen as expressions of nationalism.
2012, Karl Hack, Kevin Blackburn, War Memory and the Making of Modern Malaysia and Singapore, page 241 - uncountableA spiritual philosophy associated with some martial arts that involves finding one's inner balance, transcending physical combat, and the ability to become one with the opponent.
Martialism, it was truly a grand path. It encompassed everything.
2020, Si Chen, Chaos Ancestral God2 more examples
Interactive confusion and misunderstanding often result from failure to distinguish the different aspects of Zen and martialism as they actually operate in various mixtures.
2005, Thomas Cleary, The Japanese Art of War: Understanding the Culture of Strategy, page 125In particular, one military academy that trains officers emphasizes the Hwarang spirit along with Sangmujeongsin (martialism) to its students.
2019, Fan Hong, Gwang Ok, Martial Arts in Asia: History, Culture and Politics
Origin
Cite this entry
martialism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/martialism
“martialism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/martialism. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “martialism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/martialism.
Source: martialism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.