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definitions

mumpsimus

[ muhmp-suh-muh s ]
/ ˈmʌmp sə məs /
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noun, plural mump·si·mus·es for 2.

adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy (opposed to sumpsimus).
a person who persists in a mistaken expression or practice (opposed to sumpsimus).

Nearby words

  1. mump,
  2. mumps,
  3. mumps skin test antigen,
  4. mumps virus,
  5. mumps virus vaccine,
  6. mumsy,
  7. mumu,
  8. mun,
  9. mun.,
  10. munch

Origin of mumpsimus

1520–30; from a story, which perhaps originated with Erasmus, of an illiterate priest who said mumpsimus rather than sūmpsimus (1st plural perfect indicative of Latin sūmere to pick up; see consume) while reciting the liturgy, and refused to change the word when corrected
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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