-ism, -ismus

A modification of the rate of a periodic movement of the heart: Chronotropism can be caused by an external influence causing the heart to beat irregularly, too fast, or too slow.

1. A living quarter in or beneath the surface of the earth: A chthonism can be exemplified by the abode of an unidentified nematode that was discovered in a gold mine in South Africa at a depth of more than 14 kilometers.
2. A mythological world view: Chthonism is specifically used in religious philosophy and in ethnology. It indicates that there is a paternal heaven and a maternal Earth.

A form of social organisms in which a member of one species steals the prey or food stores of another species to feed its own progeny: Cleptoparasitism is a relationship; such as, with some wasps, whereby the female regularly usurps the prey of the other one for purposes of rearing her own offspring.

An orientation response to a gradient of stimulation; also clinotropic.

Persistent and usually painful erection of the clitoris.

A state of successive clonic contractions or a reference to the phase of an epileptic convulsion or the type of movement occurring in this phase, usually in the form of brief muscular contractions repeated at short, regular intervals.

The idea, principle, or policy of favoring or supporting the concept of coalition or a specific coalition; especially, in politics.

The act of cooperating traitorously with an enemy who is occupying one's country.

1. A form of speech or phrase proper to, or characteristic of, ordinary conversation; a colloquial expression.
2. An informal word or phrase that is more common in normal conversation than in formal speech or writing.

The symbiotic (living together) relationship between two different kinds of organisms when one organism gets benefits from another organism without hurting or damaging it: "One example of commensalism is when barnacles are attached to whales."

A philosophy dealing with the supply of services and goods with the emphasis on making profits: Many people think that commercialism is taking over the real meaning of Christmas, putting more importance and significance on the presents to be bought in stores and to be put under the Christmas trees in their living rooms.

Belief in mutual ownership of property as opposed to individual ownership: "The colony was established along the lines of communalism, building strong bonds among the members of the colony."