pedantry

noun, plural ped·ant·ries.

1. the character, qualities, practices, etc., of a pedant, especially undue display of learning.
2. slavish attention to rules, details, etc.
3. an instance of being pedantic: the pedantries of modern criticism.

noun plural -ries

1. the habit or an instance of being a pedant, esp in the display of useless knowledge or minute observance of petty rules or details

n.1610s, from Italian pedanteria, from pedante, or from French pédanterie, from pédant (see pedant).