[op.ti.mism] n [F optimisme, fr. L optimum, n., best, fr. neut. of optimus best; akin to L ops power--more at opulent] (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 n -- op.ti.mis.tic adj -- op.ti.mis.ti.cal.ly adv