Pickwickian

[ pik-wik-ee-uhn ]

/ pɪkˈwɪk i ən /

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adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Mr. Pickwick, central character of The Pickwick Papers.

(of the use or interpretation of an expression) intentionally or unintentionally odd or unusual.

(of words or ideas) meant or understood in a sense different from the apparent or usual one.

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…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Pickwickian

1830–40; Pickwick + -ian

OTHER WORDS FROM Pickwickian

Pick·wick·i·an·ly, adverb

Words nearby Pickwickian

pick up on, pick-up stick, pick up the pieces, pickup tube, pickwick, Pickwickian, Pickwickianism, Pickwickian syndrome, Pickwick, Samuel, picky, picloram

How to use Pickwickian in a sentence

Saying this, Mrs. Pott smiled sweetly on the disturbed Pickwickian, and extended her hand towards him.
The Pickwick Papers|Charles Dickens
It can't harm anybody who, on the Pickwickian principle, "takes enough of it."
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 99., December 27, 1890|Various
You agree to it in a certain sentimental Pickwickian sense, but you do not hold it as a living truth.
A New Atmosphere|Gail Hamilton
It is only within narrow limits, and then only in a Pickwickian sense, that honesty is the best policy.
The Theory of the Leisure Class|Thorstein Veblen

Green illustrated wrapper, depicting portraits of fourteen Pickwickian characters.
Dickens and His Illustrators|Frederic G. Kitton

British Dictionary definitions for Pickwickian

Pickwickian

/ (pɪkˈwɪkɪən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling Mr Pickwick in Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers, esp in being naive or benevolent

(of the use or meaning of a word, etc) odd or unusual

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