sesquipedalian









sesquipedalian


adjective Also ses·quip·e·dal [ses-kwip-i-dl] /sɛsˈkwɪp ɪ dl/.

  1. given to using long words.
  2. (of a word) containing many syllables.

noun

  1. a sesquipedalian word.

adjective

  1. tending to use very long words
  2. (of words or expressions) long and ponderous; polysyllabic

noun

  1. a polysyllabic word

n.1610s, “person or thing a foot and a half long,” from Latin sesquipedalia “a foot-and-a-half long,” from sesqui- “half as much again” (see sesqui-) + stem of pes “foot” (see foot (n.)). As an adjective 1650s. Meaning “sesquipedalian word” (1830) is from Latin sesquipedalia verba “words a foot-and-a-half long,” in Horace’s “Ars Poetica” (97), nicely illustrating the thing he is criticizing.

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