was wotd|2006|October|9
English
Etymology
From sesqui-, from Latin sesqui, one and a half, + pedal, from Latin pes, pedis, foot, + adjective suffix -alis, + adjective suffix -ian: Lit. a foot and a half long. cf. F. sesquipédal, L. sesquipedalis.
Pronunciation
IPA|/�s�skwɪpɪ�deɪlɪ�n/
audio|en-us-sesquipedalian.ogg|Audio (US)
Noun
en-noun
- The act or practice of using large words when smaller words will do.
- A long word.
Adjective
en-adj
- context|of a word or words long; polysyllabic.
#:More people know the sesquipedalian word "antidisestablishmentarianism" than know what it means.
- 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.
Synonyms
italbrac|of long words: polysyllabic
italbrac|given to the use of long words: bombastic, long-winded
Antonyms
italbrac|of long words: monosyllabic
italbrac|given to the use of long words: brief
Translations
trans-top|of long words
Bulgarian: много��и�ен
trans-mid
trans-bottom
trans-top|given to the use of long words
trans-mid
trans-bottom
Related terms
hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
sesquipedal
sesquipedalianism � Literary style characterised by the use of long words.
sesquipedalianist � A writer using sesquipedalianism
sesquipedality
ru:sesquipedalian
te:sesquipedalian
vi:sesquipedalian
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