Definition of Sesquipedalian

1. Noun. A very long word (a foot and a half long).

Exact synonyms: Sesquipedalia
Generic synonyms: Polysyllabic Word, Polysyllable

2. Adjective. Given to the overuse of long words. "This sesquipedalian way of saying one has no money"
Similar to: Pretentious
Derivative terms: Sesquipedality

3. Adjective. (of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables. "Sesquipedalian technical terms"
Exact synonyms: Polysyllabic
Similar to: Long
Derivative terms: Polysyllable, Sesquipedality

Definition of Sesquipedalian

1. Noun. A person who uses long words. ¹

2. Noun. A long word. ¹

3. Adjective. (context: of a word or words) long; polysyllabic. ¹

4. Adjective. Pertaining to or given to the use of overly long words. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sesquipedalian

1. [adj]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sesquipedalian

sesquihydrates
sesquilinear
sesquineolignan
sesquineolignane
sesquineolignanes
sesquineolignans
sesquioxidation
sesquioxide
sesquioxides
sesquioxidize
sesquioxidized
sesquioxidizes
sesquioxidizing
sesquipedal
sesquipedalia
sesquipedalian (current term)
sesquipedalianism
sesquipedalianisms
sesquipedalianist
sesquipedalianists
sesquipedalians
sesquipedaliophobia
sesquipedalities
sesquipedality
sesquiplane
sesquiplanes
sesquiplicate
sesquiquadrate
sesquiquadrates
sesquisalt

Literary usage of Sesquipedalian

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Handbook of Literary Criticism: An Analysis of Literary Forms in Prose and by William Henry Sheran (1905)
"Witness the immense pomposity of sesquipedalian verbiage; and when great power or intensity has to be suggested, this association of ideas aids the effect. ..."

2. A Handbook of Literary Criticism: An Analysis of Literary Forms in Prose and by William Henry Sheran (1905)
"Witness the immense pomposity of sesquipedalian verbiage; and when great power or intensity has to be suggested, this association of ideas aids the effect. ..."

3. The National Review edited by Richard Holt Hutton, Walter Bagehot (1864)
"a whole quart of it. A fine effect that would have upon the fine temper I am in." Is this the letter of a bluestocking ? To many worthy and sesquipedalian ..."

4. Haileybury Verses by Robert Farquharson Sharp, Herbert Trench (1882)
"Ah, great was the man, surpassingly great, Who coined from his sesquipedalian pate A word that should ... With its sesquipedalian mouth-filling jargon, ..."

5. Haileybury Verses by Robert Farquharson Sharp, Herbert Trench (1882)
"Ah, great was the man, surpassingly great, Who coined from his sesquipedalian pate A word that should dazzle and awe and stun That word of power, ..."

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