Noun: essentialism i'sen-shu,li-zum
- The philosophical theory that certain properties of an object or concept are necessary or essential to its identity and function
"Plato's theory of Forms is often associated with essentialism"
- The belief that people or things have inherent characteristics that cannot be altered
"Gender essentialism has been criticized by many feminist scholars"
Derived forms: essentialisms
Encyclopedia: Essentialism