patriotism

Definition

Love of one's country; devotion to the welfare of one's compatriots; passion which inspires one to serve one's country.

Etymology

From patriot + -ism.

Example Sentences

• "That public virtue, which among the ancients was denominated patriotism, is derived from a strong sense of our own interest in the preservation and prosperity of the free government of which we are members."
• "In the hour of death we shall have the consolation to see established in the land of our fathers the most wonderful work of wisdom and disinterested patriotism that has ever yet appeared on the globe."
• "The subject of his play was the fate of Agis, the young and heroic King of Sparta: it gave the ideal of patriotism, relieved by the tenderness of sorrow, and the fidelity of love."