ˈveltˈänˌshau̇əŋ, -au̇.(ˌ)u̇ŋ noun
( plural weltanschauungs -ŋz ; or welt·an·schau·ung·en -ŋən)
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: German, literally, world view, from welt world (alteration of Old High German weralt, worold ) + anschauung view, from Middle High German anschouwunge contemplation, observation, from an- (from Old High German ana-, from ana, adverb & preposition, on, at) + schouwunge look, sight, from schouwen to look at, see (from Old High German scouwōn ) + -unge -ing (from Old High German -unga ) — more at world , on , show
1. : a conception of the course of events in and of the purpose of the world as a whole forming a philosophical view or apprehension of the universe : the idea embodied in a cosmology : outlook on the world — called also world view
2. : philosophy of life : ideology
3. : the cosmologic conception of society and its institutions held by its members