Bär'ba-rïsm, n.

n. [Fr. barbarisme, Lat. barbarismus, Gr. βαρβαρισμός.]

1. An uncivilized state or condition; rudeness of manners, and ignorance of arts, learning, and literature; savagism; barbarousness. Prescott.
2. An act of barbarity, cruelty, or brutality; an outrage. [Rare.] “A heinous barbarism ... against the honor of marriage.” Milton.
3. An offense against purity of style or language; any form of speech contrary to the pure idioms of a particular language. Dryden.

Syn.—See SOLECISM.