WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026Whig•gism
(hwig′iz əm, wig′-),USA pronunciation n.
- American Historythe principles or practices of Whigs.
Also, Whig•ger•y
(hwig′ə rē, wig′-).USA pronunciation
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Whig /wɪɡ/ n - a member of the English political party or grouping that opposed the succession to the throne of James, Duke of York, in 1679–80 on the grounds that he was a Catholic. Standing for a limited monarchy, the Whigs represented the great aristocracy and the moneyed middle class for the next 80 years. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries the Whigs represented the desires of industrialists and Dissenters for political and social reform. The Whigs provided the core of the Liberal Party
- (in the US) a supporter of the War of American Independence
Compare Tory - a member of the American political party that opposed the Democrats from about 1834 to 1855 and represented propertied and professional interests
- a 17th-century Scottish Presbyterian, esp one in rebellion against the Crown
adj - of, characteristic of, or relating to Whigs
Etymology: 17th Century: probably shortened from whiggamore, one of a group of 17th-century Scottish rebels who joined in an attack on Edinburgh known as the whiggamore raid; probably from Scottish whig to drive (of obscure origin) + more, mer, maire horse, mare1ˈWhiggery, ˈWhiggism n ˈWhiggish adj
'Whiggism' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):