Sesquipedalian Definition.

 dictionary results for: sesquipedalian

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

ses·qui·pe·da·li·an        [ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn, -deyl-yuhn]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective Also, ses·quip·e·dal        [ses-kwip-i-dl]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation.

1.	given to using long words.

2.	(of a word) containing many syllables.

–noun

3.	a sesquipedalian word.

[Origin: 1605–15; < style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 1.25em; font-size: 100%; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">sésquipedālis measuring a foot and a half (see sesqui-, pedal) + -an]

—Related forms

ses·qui·pe·dal·i·ty        [ses-kwi-pi-dal-i-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, ses·qui·pe·da·li·an·ism,ses·quip·e·dal·ism        [ses-kwip-i-dl-iz-uhm, ‑kwi-peed-l-iz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, noun

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

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ses·qui·pe·da·lian        (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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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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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" (seesesquicentennial) + pes "foot" (see foot)

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper

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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)