Lexic.us

Definition of Sesquipedalian

1. Adjective. Given to the overuse of long words. "This sesquipedalian way of saying one has no money"

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

3. Adjective. (of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables. "Sesquipedalian technical terms"

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, ..."

Other Resources: