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Johnsonian

[jon-soh-nee-uh n]
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adjective
  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson or his works.
  2. having the quality of Johnsonese.
noun
  1. a person who writes in the Johnsonian style.
  2. a teacher or critic who specializes in the works of Samuel Johnson.

Origin of Johnsonian

First recorded in 1785–95; Johnson + -ian
Related formsJohn·so·ni·an·ism, nounJohn·so·ni·an·ly, adverbpost-John·so·ni·an, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for johnsonian

Historical Examples

  • And here is yet another point of the likeness to the Johnsonian coterie.

    Pickwickian Studies

    Percy Fitzgerald

  • He is severe in judgment and spells rigidly by the Johnsonian standard.

    Campaigns of a Non-Combatant,

    George Alfred Townsend

  • I think, sir,' in a Johnsonian manner, 'the thought is a happy one.'

    Madame Midas

    Fergus Hume

  • The tone in which the Johnsonian "Sir" was let off, left no doubt of it.

  • They were what may be called a "clubable race," to borrow a Johnsonian expression.

British Dictionary definitions for johnsonian

Johnsonian

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Samuel Johnson, his works, or his style of writing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012