Pecksniffian
[ pek-snif-ee-uhn ]
/ pɛkˈsnɪf i ən /
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adjective (often lowercase)
hypocritically and unctuously affecting benevolence or high moral principles.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Sometimes Peck·sniff·ish .
Origin of Pecksniffian
1850–55; named after Seth Pecksniff, character in Martin Chuzzlewit, a novel (1843) by Dickens; see -ian
OTHER WORDS FROM Pecksniffian
Peck·sniff·er·y, Peck·sniff·i·an·ism, Peck·sniff·ism, nounWords nearby Pecksniffian
pecking order, Peckinpah, peckish, Peck's Bad Boy, pecksniff, Pecksniffian, pecky, Pecorino, Pecos, Pecos Bill, pecs
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Pecksniffian in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Pecksniffian
Pecksniffian
/ (pɛkˈsnɪfɪən) /
adjective
affecting benevolence or high moral principles
Word Origin for Pecksniffian
C19: after Seth Pecksniff, character in Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit (1843)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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