marianism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very RareAcademic / Theological
Quick answer
What does “marianism” mean?
A religious, cultural, and social phenomenon centered on the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Catholicism, often expressing particular devotional practices, theological emphases, or cultural traditions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A religious, cultural, and social phenomenon centered on the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Catholicism, often expressing particular devotional practices, theological emphases, or cultural traditions.
1. The theological emphasis on the role and privileges of Mary, the mother of Jesus, within Christian doctrine. 2. Any system of belief or practice characterized by strong devotion to a female figure, particularly one resembling the Virgin Mary in attributes (purity, mercy, intercession).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in theological and academic circles in both regions.
Connotations
Equally specialized and academic in both dialects. No regional connotative difference.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, limited to niche academic and religious discourse in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “marianism” in a Sentence
[Marianism] + [prepositional phrase: in + region/country][Adjective] + [Marianism]the [Marianism] of [group/period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marianism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable. No verb form.
American English
- Not applicable. No verb form.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. No adverb form.
American English
- Not applicable. No adverb form.
adjective
British English
- Marian (e.g., Marian devotion, Marian apparition). The term 'Marianistic' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- Marian (e.g., Marian dogma, Marian hymn). The term 'Marianistic' is extremely rare and non-standard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Primary context. E.g., 'The paper examines the impact of Marianism on colonial identity in the Philippines.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in theological, historical, and sociological writing to categorise specific religious movements or cultural expressions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marianism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marianism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marianism”
- Using 'Marianism' to refer to the worship of Mary (worship, latria, is reserved for God in Christian theology; veneration, dulia/hyperdulia, is correct).
- Misspelling as 'Marionism' or 'Maryanism'.
- Assuming it is a common term known to the general public.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Mariology is the formal theological study of Mary. Marianism is a broader term referring to the cultural and devotional phenomenon of Mary-veneration, of which Mariology is the academic/theological aspect.
Primarily, yes, it is associated with Catholicism and some strands of Eastern Orthodoxy and Anglicanism. The term is rarely applied to non-Christian contexts, though it can be used analogously.
It is generally neutral and descriptive in academic use. However, 'Mariolatry' is a term often used by critics (especially from Protestant traditions) to imply idolatrous or excessive veneration.
In British English: MAIR-ee-uh-ni-zum. In American English: MARR-ee-uh-ni-zum. The main difference is the vowel sound in the first syllable (/ɛː/ vs /ɛ/).
A religious, cultural, and social phenomenon centered on the veneration of the Virgin Mary in Catholicism, often expressing particular devotional practices, theological emphases, or cultural traditions.
Marianism is usually academic / theological in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist for this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MARIAnism' – it's the 'ISM' (system of belief/practice) focused on 'MARIA' (the Latin/romance language name for Mary).
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVOTION IS A STRUCTURE/EDIFICE (e.g., 'the edifice of Marianism', 'foundations of popular Marianism').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Marianism' most appropriately used?