n.
Pronunciation: ' äp-t ə - ˌ mi-z ə m
Function: noun
Etymology: French optimisme, from Latin optimum, noun, best, from neuter of optimus best; akin to Latin ops power ― more at OPULENT
Date: 1759
1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world
2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome
– op · ti · mist \ -mist \ noun
– op · ti · mis · tic \ ˌ äp-t ə - ' mis-tik \ adjective
– op · ti · mis · ti · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb