Patriotism
/ˈpeɪ.tri.ə.tɪ.zəm/noun
Loyalty and devotion to one’s country.
Did you know?Patriotism ultimately comes from Greek patria, meaning a father’s lineage or ancestral homeland, so the word began as a claim about inherited belonging long before it became a modern political virtue.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
patriōtēs
“a fellow countryman or one of the same stock”
Late Latin
Latin
patriota
“a compatriot, fellow countryman”
16th Century
French
patriote
“a countryman or fellow citizen”
17th Century
French
patriotisme
“love or devotion to one's country”
18th Century
English
patriotism
“devotion to one's country”