Bonapartism

noun

Bo·​na·​part·​ism ˈbō-nə-ˌpär-ˌti-zəm 

1

: support of the French emperors Napoleon I, Napoleon III, or their dynasty

2

: a political movement associated chiefly with authoritarian rule usually by a military leader ostensibly supported by a popular mandate

Bonapartist

ˈbō-nə-ˌpär-tist 

noun or adjective

Did you know?

Napoleon I (Napoleon Bonaparte) came to power in France by military coup in 1799 and ruled as emperor from 1804 until he was forced from power in 1815. The year 1815 was clearly a bad one for Bonaparte: he was defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington and sent into exile. Coincidentally, 1815 was also the year that marked the debut in English of Bonapartism, the word derived from his name. Waterloo, a term for a decisive defeat such as the one Napoleon suffered, had come into general English use by 1816.

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!