A French word meaning defeatism; the attitude of believing that failure or defeat is inevitable and accepting it without fighting back.
From French 'défait' (defeated) plus '-isme' (doctrine or practice). During World War I and II, this term was especially used in French politics to criticize those who thought Germany couldn't be beaten. It entered English from French newspapers and political discourse.
During the Nazi occupation of France, the word 'défaitisme' became politically explosive—the Vichy government actually tried to prosecute people for spreading defeatist attitudes, showing how a single word about pessimism could become a tool of political control.
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