actualist
/ˈak(t)ʃʊəlɪst/ /ˈak(t)ʃ(ʊ)lɪst/noun
1 Geology. A person who believes that the geological past can be explained in terms of processes observable in the present; a proponent of actualism. Compare uniformitarian. Now chiefly historical.
- In early use (by misunderstanding): a person who, in denying the cataclysmic changes envisaged by the catastrophists, supposes the earth and its fauna to have remained substantially the same throughout geological history..
2Chiefly Philosophy. A person who advocates the theory that only what is actual exists; a proponent of actualism.
adjective
Philosophy and Geology. Characterized by or advocating actualism.
Origin
Mid 19th century. From actual + -ist, probably after French actualiste.
- personal god
- personal government
- personal high
- personal hygiene
- personalia
- personal idealism
- personal idealist
- personal identification number
- personal identity
- personal information manager
- personal injury
- personalise
- shot on goal
- shot-peen
- shotproof
- shot-put
- shot-putter
- shot-putting
- shotted
- shotten herring
- shottist
- shot to pieces (or to hell)
- shot tower
- shoujo
- should