neo-confucianism \“+\noun Usage: often capitalized N & usually capitalized C Etymology:ne- + confucianism : a rationalistic revival of Confucian philosophy in the 11th century A.D. that exercised a pronounced influence on Chinese thought for over 800 years < neo-Confucianism, in which many traits of both Buddhism and Taoism were blended with the more naturalistic tenets of Confucius — L.J.Walker >