\Chau"vin*ism\, n. [F. chauvinisme, from Chauvin, a
character represented as making grotesque and threatening
displays of his attachment to his fallen chief, Napoleon I.,
in 1815.]
Blind and absurd devotion to a fallen leader or an obsolete
cause; hence, absurdly vainglorious or exaggerated
patriotism. -- {Chau"vin*ist}, n. -- {Chau`vin*is"tic}, a.
Note: To have a generous belief in the greatness of one's
      country is not chauvinism. It is the character of the
      latter quality to be wildly extravagant, to be fretful
      and childish and silly, to resent a doubt as an insult,
      and to offend by its very frankness. --Prof. H. Tuttle.