-fēd.ˌizəm, -ēˌtiz- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French défaitisme, from défaite defeat (from Middle French deffaite, desfaite, from feminine of deffait, desfait, past participle) + -isme -ism
1. : disbelief in the desirability of victory for one's own side under certain circumstances
2. : the attitude, policy, or practice of accepting or of being resigned to defeat without any attempt to prevent or forestall it
a mood of defeatism overwhelmed them
defeatism weakened the nation's ability to resist the enemy