racism or racialism (ˈreɪsɪzəm, ˈreɪʃəˌlɪzəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) |
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| — n | |
| 1. | the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristicsdetermined by hereditary factors and that this endows someraces with an intrinsic superiority over others |
| 2. | abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief |
