/preuh vin"sheuh liz'euhm/ , n.
1. narrowness of mind, ignorance, or the like, considered as resulting from lack of exposure to cultural or intellectual activity.
2. a trait, habit of thought, etc., characteristic of a provincial, a province, or the provinces.
3. a word, expression, or mode of pronunciation peculiar to a province.
4. devotion to one's own province before the nation as a whole.
[ 1760-70; PROVINCIAL + -ISM ]