extreme optimism, especially in the face of unrelieved hardship or adversity. It was characteristic of Dr. Pangloss, the old tutor to the hero in the satire Candide, (subtitled "Optimism") by Voltaire (Frenchphilosopher, poet, dramatist and author, 1694 - 1778). Dr. Pangloss' great point was his incurable and misleading optimism which did him no good and brought him all sorts of misfortune, but to the end he reiterated "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds." —SHSBC Binder 2 Approved Glossary