pedantry

American  

[ped-n-tree] / ˈpɛd n tri /

noun

pedantries plural

1. the character, qualities, practices, etc., of a pedant, especially undue display of learning.

2. slavish attention to rules, details, etc.

3. an instance of being pedantic.

   the pedantries of modern criticism.

---

pedantry British  

/ ˈpɛdəntrɪ /

noun

1. the habit or an instance of being a pedant, esp in the display of useless knowledge or minute observance of petty rules or details

---

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• pedantries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pedantry

First recorded in 1575–85, pedantry is from the Italian word pedanteria. See pedant, -ry

Explanation

You know that person who is always interrupting other people, correcting their grammar or their facts? That's pedantry, or inappropriately showing off your knowledge. The noun pedantry refers to the behavior of a pedant, which comes from the French word pédant, meaning “schoolmaster.” While it is a schoolmaster's job to ensure that students learn, someone who is guilty of pedantry just seems to brag, using his or her knowledge to get attention or seem better educated than the people around him or her.

Example Sentences

Pedantry aside, it’s also worth noting that, despite all the false starts, detecting exoplanets was one of those rare and wonderful occasions when a project turned out to be easier than anticipated.

From Scientific American • Nov. 12, 2019

Pedantry aside, Micro and the most of Crichton’s work contribute to an important discussion about making policies for science and technology.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2011

Pedantry turning into farce; neither ban was workable in practice.

From The Guardian • May 7, 2010

Pedantry had indeed set its fatal mark on scholarship, not only on the Continent but in England.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 6 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

Pedantry, in the common acceptation of the word, means an absurd ostentation of learning, and stiffness of phraseology, proceeding from a misguided knowledge of books, and a total ignorance of men.”—Mackenzie.

From Talkers With Illustrations by Bate, John