ideology — ODE

ideology /ˌʌɪdiˈɒlədʒi

▸ noun

(plural ideologies)

1 a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy:

the ideology of democracy.

▪ the set of beliefs characteristic of a social group or individual:

a critique of bourgeois ideology.

2 [mass noun] archaic the science of ideas; the study of their origin and nature.

▪ archaic visionary speculation, especially of an unrealistic or idealistic nature.

– DERIVATIVES

ideologist /ˌʌɪdiˈɒlədʒɪst

, ˌɪdiˈɒlədʒɪst

/ noun

– ORIGIN late 18th century (in ideology (sense 2 of the noun)): from French idéologie, from Greek idea ‘form, pattern’ + -logos (denoting discourse or compilation).