[ad. mod.L. stōicismus, f. L. stōicus: see STOIC and -ISM.] Cf. F. stoïcisme (17th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. The philosophy of the Stoics.
1626. [Featley], Pelagius rediv., D 1 b. This Doctrine bringeth into the Church Manichisme, Stoicisme, Libertinisme, Epicurisme.
1694. G. Stanhope, trans. Epictetus’ Morals, Pref. The same Difficulty lies against Stoicism, with regard to Civil Society, and the mutual Concern we feel for one another.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 243, ¶ 8. Stoicism, which was the Pedantry of Virtue, ascribes all good Qualifications, of what kind soever, to the Virtuous Man.
1863. E. V. Neale, Anal. Th. & Nat., 99. But when we meet stoicism in the works of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we find a remarkable change.
1910. Q. Rev., April, 575. Stoicism, with a disposition to regard man as a self-sufficing unit, becomes aristocratic, whereas Christianity in its essential characteristics is democratic.
2. Conduct or practice conformable to the principles of the Stoics; austerity, repression of feeling, fortitude.
1630. Brathwait, Eng. Gentlem. (1641), 102. I admit of no such strict Stoicisme; but rather … to use wine or any such strong drinke to strengthen and comfort Nature.
1665. Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., xxvii. 168. This unmoved apathy in opinionative uncertainties, is a warrantable piece of Stoicism.
a. 1721. Prior, Vicar of Bray & Sir T. Moor, 577, Wks. 1907, II. 261. I am afraid your Lordship may grow Angry, which would be a little against Your Stoicism.
1820. W. Irving, Sketch Bk., II. 260. This last outrage overcame even the stoicism of the savage.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 282. It was said that William so far forgot his wonted stoicism as to utter a passionate exclamation at the way in which the English regiments had been sacrificed.
1871. Standard, 23 Jan., 3/2. Paris received the news of General Chanzy’s check … without losing its stoicism.
