Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

solecism

 - 3 dictionary results

sol⋅e⋅cism

  [sol-uh-siz-uhm, soh-luh-]
Use solecism in a Sentence
–noun
1. a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage, as unflammable and they was.
2. a breach of good manners or etiquette.
3. any error, impropriety, or inconsistency.
Origin:
1570–80; < L soloecismus < Gk soloikismós, equiv. to sóloik(os) (Sólo(i) a city in Cilicia where a corrupt form of Attic Greek was spoken + -ikos -ic ) + -ismos -ism

Related forms:
sol⋅e⋅cist, noun
sol⋅e⋅cis⋅tic, sol⋅e⋅cis⋅ti⋅cal, adjective
sol⋅e⋅cis⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To solecism
sol·e·cism   (sŏl'ĭ-sĭz'əm, sō'lĭ-)   
n.  

  1. A nonstandard usage or grammatical construction.

  2. A violation of etiquette.

  3. An impropriety, mistake, or incongruity.


[Latin soloecismus, from Greek soloikismos, from soloikizein, to speak incorrectly, from soloikos, speaking incorrectly, after Soloi (Soli), an Athenian colony in Cilicia where a dialect regarded as substandard was spoken.]
sol'e·cist n., sol'e·cis'tic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

solecism 
1577, from M.Fr. solécisme, from L. soloecismus "mistake in speaking or writing," from Gk. soloikismos "to speak (Greek) incorrectly," from soloikos "ungrammatical utterance," prop. "a speaking like the people of Soloi," from Soloi, Athenian colony in Cilicia, whose dialect the Athenians considered barbarous.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see solecism on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way