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Sesquipedalian

//ˌsɛs.kwɪ.pɪˈdeɪ.lɪ.ən// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Long; polysyllabic.

    "The most common use of "antidisestablishmentarianism" is as an example of a sesquipedalian word."

  2. 2
    Pertaining to or given to the use of overly long words.

    "Our dinner guest was so sesquipedalian that no one could understand what he said."

Adjective
  1. 1
    (of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables wordnet
  2. 2
    given to the overuse of long words wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A long word.

    "“The fine old fellow,” as a Northern contemporary of ours patronizingly calls him, certainly rolled out his sesquipedalians with a majesty previously unknown, and gave a fine organ-like swell to his full-blow periods;"

  2. 2
    a very long word (a foot and a half long) wordnet
  3. 3
    A person who uses long words.

    "Word-watchers, verbivores, and sesquipedalians love a challenge."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From sesquipedal + -ian (adjective- and noun-forming suffix), root from Latin sēsquipedālis (literally “a foot and a half long”), from Latin sēsqui (“one and a half times”) + Latin pedālis (“measuring a foot, foot (relational)”) (an adjective from pēs (“foot”)).

Etymology 2

From sesquipedal + -ian (adjective- and noun-forming suffix), root from Latin sēsquipedālis (literally “a foot and a half long”), from Latin sēsqui (“one and a half times”) + Latin pedālis (“measuring a foot, foot (relational)”) (an adjective from pēs (“foot”)).

See also for "sesquipedalian"

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