Ideal comes from the Late Latin word ideālis, which means “existing as an idea or archetype.” The earliest recorded use of idealist in English occurs in 1701 in philosopher John Norris's Essay toward the Theory of the Ideal or Intelligible World, in which he references the Greek philosopher Plato's “theory of forms.” ...

Where did Idealism come from?

Idealism is a term with several related meanings. It comes via Latin idea from the Ancient Greek idea (ἰδέα) from idein (ἰδεῖν), meaning "to see". The term entered the English language by 1743.

What is the root of Idealism?

The main root of idealist is "ideal," which comes from the Latin word idea. ... Words that are related to idealist include "idealize," "idealism," and "ideally."