sesquipedalian

[ ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn, -deyl-yuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

sesquipedalian

/ sɛsˈkwɪpədəl; ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən /

ses·qui·pe·dal·i·ty [ses-kwi-pi-, dal, -i-tee], sesqui·pe·dali·an·ism ses·quip·e·dal·ism [ses-, kwip, -i-dl-iz-, uh, m, ‑kwi-, peed, -l-iz-, uh, m], noun
unses·qui·pe·dali·an adjective

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin sesquipedālis “measuring a foot and a half ”( sesqui-, pedal ) + -ian

C17: from Latin sēsquipedālis of a foot and a half (coined by Horace in Ars Poetica ), from sesqui- + pedālis of the foot, from pēs foot

You know I am nothing if not "sesquipedalian" and scientific; and a word of five syllables will do for both qualities.

That colored orator and model letter-writer must look to his sesquipedalian fame.

The story of any incident, to be realistic, will admit neither of sesquipedalian grandeur nor of grotesque images.

I felt satisfied it was a friendly one; and was now more anxious than ever of overtaking its sesquipedalian owner.

The description of the scene, in somewhat sesquipedalian Latin, is quoted by Spitta, i. 801.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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