a mystical philosophical doctrine based on the doctrines of the cabala
2.
any occult doctrine
Derived forms
cabalist (ˈcabalist)
noun
cabalistic (ˌcabaˈlistic) (ˈkæbəˈlɪstɪk)
adjective
cabalistically (ˌcabaˈlistically)
adverb
cabalism in American English
(ˈkæbəˌlɪzəm)
noun
1.
the principles or doctrines of the cabala
2.
an interpretation of something according to the doctrines of the cabala
3.
any mystic or occult doctrine; mysticism; occultism
4.
extreme traditionalism in theological conception or interpretation
5.
obfuscation or obscurantism, esp. resulting from an excessively recondite vocabulary
the cabalism of some modern literary criticism
Word origin
[1580–90; cabal(a) + -ism]This word is first recorded in the period 1580–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: bomb, category, mandarin, motor, scramble-ism is a suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it was used to form action nounsfrom verbs (baptism). On this model, -ism is used as a productive suffix in the formation of nouns denoting action or practice,state or condition, principles, doctrines, a usage or characteristic, devotion oradherence, etc. (criticism; barbarism; Darwinism; despotism; plagiarism; realism; witticism; intellectualism)