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Pecksniffian

[ pek-snif-ee-uhn ]
/ pɛkˈsnɪf i ən /
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adjective (often lowercase)
hypocritically and unctuously affecting benevolence or high moral principles.
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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, noun

Words nearby Pecksniffian

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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