— pluralist , n. , adj. — pluralistic , adj. — pluralistically , adv.
/ploor"euh liz'euhm/ , n.
1. Philos.
a. a theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle. Cf. dualism (def. 2), monism (def. 1a).
b. a theory that reality consists of two or more independent elements.
2. Eccles.
a. the holding by one person of two or more offices at the same time.
b. plurality (def. 7a).
3. Sociol. See cultural pluralism .
4. state or quality of being plural.
[ 1810-20; PLURAL + -ISM ]