Sesquipedalian - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ses·qui·pe·da·li·an

Audio Help [ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uh

n, -deyl-yuh

n] Pronunciation Key

–adjective Also, ses·quip·e·dal

Audio Help [ses-kwip-i-dl] Pronunciation Key.

1.	given to using long words.

2.	(of a word) containing many syllables.

–noun

3.	a sesquipedalian word.

[Origin: 1605–15; < L sésquipedālis measuring a foot and a half (see sesqui-, pedal) + -an

]

—Related forms

ses·qui·pe·dal·i·ty

Audio Help [ses-kwi-pi-dal-i-tee] Pronunciation Key, ses·qui·pe·da·li·an·ism, ses·quip·e·dal·ism

Audio Help [ses-kwip-i-dl-iz-uh

m, ‑kwi-peed-l-iz-uh

m] Pronunciation Key, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Sesquipedalian

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ses·qui·pe·da·lian Audio Help   (sěs'kwĭ-pĭ-dāl'yən) Pronunciation Key
n.   A long word.

adj.

Given to or characterized by the use of long words.
Long and ponderous; polysyllabic.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
sesquipedalian

1615, from L. sesquipedalia verba "words a foot-and-a-half long," in Horace's "Ars Poetica" (97), nicely illustrating the thing he is criticizing, from sesqui- "half as much again" (see sesquicentennial) + pes "foot" (see foot)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

sesquipedalian
adjective
1.	given to the overuse of long words; "sesquipedalian orators"; "this sesquipedalian way of saying one has no money"
2.	(of words) long and ponderous; having many syllables; "sesquipedalian technical terms" [syn: polysyllabic]
noun
1.	a very long word (a foot and a half long)