ostrichismn.
/ˈɒstrɪtʃɪz(ə)m/, /ˈɒstrɪdʒɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈɑstrɪtʃˌɪz(ə)m/ The action of (figuratively) hiding one's head in the sand; the practice or policy of refusing to face reality or accept facts.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > [noun] > ignoring unwelcome facts
ostrichism1834
struthonianism1966
1834 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 1 59/1 The Marquis adopted the celebrated system of ostrichism, and hid his head.
1938 Amer. Econ. Rev. 28 21 We must avoid the ‘ostrichism’ of defining away problems by simply assuming to be constant, factors subject to imminent change.
1944 J. S. Huxley On Living in Revol. 3 The fact that a world war existed and the ostrichism of our reactions to it were most obvious in the case of Spain.
1960 Spectator 15 July 106 A new wave of ostrichism in regard to defence is sweeping the country.
1993 Population & Devel. Rev. 19 612 Even the optimistic, once they shed all trace of ostrichism and face the facts, find that they have to be cautious.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1834