Pes"si*mism (?), n. [L. pessimus
worst, superl. of pejor worse: cf. F. pessimisme. Cf.
Impair.] 1. (Metaph.) The opinion
or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the
worst, or that the world is wholly evil; -- opposed to
optimism.
2. A disposition to take the least hopeful
view of things.