herodism

noun

1. (alt-of, no-plural)Alternative letter-case form of Herodism.
2. (uncountable)The killing of unwanted people, especially children.

   “In 1702 he wrote in opposition to prevalent intolerance a phamphlet entitled "The shortest way with Dissenters," in which he counselled the violent and total extinction of all who differed with the state-sanctioned creed. He was, of course, out-Heroding Herod to mock Herodism : but his imitation was too good and he was clapped into Newgate and condemned to the pillory.”

   “I understand that the mothers often would be willing to rear their daughters; but the fathers, who have supreme control in their families, insist upon getting rid of useless mouths and choke their infant babes to death, the mothers readily acquiescing. Equeesik, one of our hunters on the sledge journey, who is himself a Netchillik, denies this charge of female Herodism.”

   “For the price of a postage stamp, however, and the effort of a letter to our Member of Parliament, we may yet at this eleventh hour make a gesture for the defence of the foetus and prevent the introduction of Herodism and abortions of convenience into British medicine.”

3. (obsolete, uncountable)Indulgence in or worship of worldly spectacle and power rather than that which is good or worthy.

   “The target of defamation has been hurled from the pulpit and every rostrum upheaved to foster indolence and selfish principality of power. This mock heroism, or Herodism, is disgusting and sickening to a soul capable of finding worth outside of the world's pomp .and glitter, — outside of her charnel-house of ostentatious merit.”

   “And they have taken especial pains to remind us that 'it is God who worketh in men both to will and to do of His good pleasure,' and to warn against the Nebuchadnezzarism and Herodism of taking credit to ourselves for the fruits of the Divine energy.”

   “Let us now look inside of the church. We shall find a decided vein of Herodism there also; a Herodism in the pew that looks for, demands, encourages, relishes, something exciting or amusing from the teachers of the gospel, and in the services of the church.”

4. (uncountable)A political stance of allowing domination by a more powerful country, usually in order to preserve some level of control rather than being vanquished.

   “The author understands the person, society, and culture as three aspects of a unique phenomenon, which are dialectically relationed and, presently, are in contradiction; this scheme configures a revolutionary situation affecting the Latín American man (alienated by herodism, exploitation and marginality) and, therefore, involves both the society and the culture”

   “Having re- embraced "Herodism," post-war Japan learned from the U.S. while under its control and was reborn as an economic power.”

   “Okubo's memorandum was essentially a blueprint for making modern Japan a successful example of Herodism.”