Sesquipedalian

lulu · 08-15-2004, 11:17 AM

Sesquipedalian(Adjective)
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Pronunciation: [ses-kwê-pê-'dey-lyên]

Definition 1: Long (said of words), made up of many syllables. Also, a sesquipedalian word. Containing or given to using such words

Usage 1: Very few words in the English language illustrate their own meaning as this one does. "Sesquipedalian" is sesquipedalian and you commit sesquipedalianism (or sesquipedality) every time you utter it. It refers to words with long prosodic feet, i.e. a high syllable count.

Suggested usage: Using a good, strong vocabulary is not the same as sesquipedalianism. The goal is to choose words that are maximally descriptive of what you wish to express regardless of length. Sesquipedalian words are not to be revered or feared, but, like all other words, to be used with precision, as in these examples: "His sesquipedalian tirades do not impress me" and "We tend to wax sesquipedalian or pedestrian in our speech depending on the social situation."

Etymology: From Horace's phrase sesquipedalia verba "words a (prosodic) foot and a half long." Latin sesqui- or sesque- "one and a half" is a contraction of semis "half" + que "and, also" as in sesquicentennial "150 year (celebration)". Latin pedalis "pertaining to a/the foot" is from pes, pedis "foot." This word derives from the root *pod-/ped-/pd- which also underlies English "foot," "fetter," "fetlock." The Latin stem is also found in English "pedestrian," "pedal," and "peon." The Greek reflex of the same root, "pous (pod-), emerges in "octopus," "tripod," and "podiatrist." (Our gratitude to Scott Gressitt, who reads his (or our) dictionary every day, for today's word.)

—Dr. Language, yourDictionary.com

I could not resist posting this one either! I had never heard of it!