prolixity

American  

[proh-lik-si-tee] / proʊˈlɪk sɪ ti /

Rarely prolixness

noun

1. the state or quality of being unnecessarily or tediously wordy; verbosity.

   The book offers food for thought but, for all its prolixity, fails to effectively explain what is at the core of irony as a rhetorical strategy.

2. a tendency to speak or write at great or tedious length.

   As a communicator, the official suffers from a lethal mix of ailments: terminal prolixity, rampant hyperbole, and a preference for bureaucratic jargon.

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Other Word Forms

• overprolixity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of prolixity

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French prolixité “lengthiness, verbosity,” from Late Latin prōlixitāt- (inflectional stem prōlixitās ) “tedious length in speech or writing,” from Latin: “extension in time or space”; see prolix ( def. )

Explanation

If someone likes to talk but they're really boring, they've got prolixity. It's not something to be proud of. Prolixity means about the same thing as long-windedness. If someone is yammering on and on and on — that's an example of prolixity. Part of prolixity seems good: we'd all like to be able to put words together easily. On the other hand, none of us want to be boring. That's a major downside to prolixity. Prolixity is similar to "wordiness" — using too many words, or too many long words — when a few would get the job done.

Example Sentences

Not to be long, for I hate Prolixity in all Business: In short, after Filing, Defileing, Sawing, when no Body Saw.

From The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard Containing a Particular Account of His Many Robberies and Escapes by Defoe, Daniel

Prolixity goes into endless petty details, without selection or perspective.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

But, to avoid Prolixity, I shall give only one Instance more.

From A Discourse on the Plague by Mead, Richard

I could give many more Reasons, but to avoid Prolixity, I refer you to my Memorial, knowing how precious Time is to your Excellency.

From A Voyage to Cacklogallinia With a Description of the Religion, Policy, Customs and Manners of That Country by Brunt, Captain Samuel

Prolixity of speech produced avoidance of the offender, and silence tended to syncope of the language.

From A Romantic Young Lady by Grant, Robert