What does sesquipedalian mean?

Definitions for sesquipedalian
ˌsɛs kwɪ pɪˈdeɪ li ən, -ˈdeɪl yənses·qui·pe·da·lian

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word sesquipedalian.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. sesquipedalian, sesquipedaliaadjective

    a very long word (a foot and a half long)

  2. sesquipedalianadjective

    given to the overuse of long words

    "sesquipedalian orators"; "this sesquipedalian way of saying one has no money"

  3. polysyllabic, sesquipedalianadjective

    (of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables

    "sesquipedalian technical terms"

Wiktionary

  1. sesquipedaliannoun

    A person who uses long words.

  2. sesquipedaliannoun

    A long word.

  3. sesquipedalianadjective

    long; polysyllabic.

    More people know the sesquipedalian word "antidisestablishmentarianism" than know what it means.

  4. sesquipedalianadjective

    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.

  5. Etymology: sesquipedalis, from sesqui-, from sesqui; + pedal, from Latin pedis, form of pes, + adjective suffix -alis; + adjective suffix -ian. Cognate to French sesquipédal.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Sesquipedal, Sesquipedalianadjective

    Containing a foot and a half.

    Etymology: sesquipedalis, Latin.

    As for my own part, I am but a sesquipedal, having only six foot and a half of stature. Joseph Addison, Guard.

    Hast thou ever measured the gigantick Ethiopian, whose stature is above eight cubits high, or the sesquipedalian pigmey? Scriblerus Club , Mart. Scrib.

ChatGPT

  1. sesquipedalian

    Sesquipedalian, as an adjective, refers to the use of long, complex words in speech or writing. As a noun, it refers to a person who tends to use such long, complex words. It originates from a Latin term "sesquipedalis" which means a foot and a half long. The term is often used in a humorous or critical tone, implying or referring to a tendency to overuse long words.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Sesquipedalianadjective

    measuring or containing a foot and a half; as, a sesquipedalian pygmy; -- sometimes humorously applied to long words

  2. Etymology: [Sesqui- + pedal: cf. F. sesquipdal, L. sesquipedalis.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Sesquipedalian

    ses-kwi-pē-dā′li-an, adj. containing a foot and a half: often humorously said of a very long word—also Ses′quipedal.—ns. Sesquipedā′lianism, Sesquipedal′ity. [L. sesquipedalissesqui, one-half more, pes, ped-is, a foot.]

How to pronounce sesquipedalian?

How to say sesquipedalian in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of sesquipedalian in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of sesquipedalian in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8


Translations for sesquipedalian

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for sesquipedalian »

Translation

Find a translation for the sesquipedalian definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"sesquipedalian." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/sesquipedalian>.

Discuss these sesquipedalian definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for sesquipedalian? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    be hungry; go without food
    A elaborate
    B summon
    C scarper
    D famish

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for sesquipedalian: