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sesquipedalian

[ ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn, -deyl-yuhn ]
/ ˌsɛs kwɪ pɪˈdeɪ li ən, -ˈdeɪl yən /
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adjective Also ses·quip·e·dal [ses-kwip-i-dl]. /sɛsˈkwɪp ɪ dl/.
given to using long words.
(of a word) containing many syllables.
noun
a sesquipedalian word.

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Origin of sesquipedalian

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin sesquipedālis “measuring a foot and a half ”(see sesqui-, pedal) + -ian

OTHER WORDS FROM sesquipedalian

ses·qui·pe·dal·i·ty [ses-kwi-pi-dal-i-tee], /ˌsɛs kwɪ pɪˈdæl ɪ ti/, ses·qui·pe·da·li·an·ism, ses·quip·e·dal·ism [ses-kwip-i-dl-iz-uhm, ‐kwi-peed-l-iz-uhm], /sɛsˈkwɪp ɪ dlˌɪz əm, ‐kwɪˈpid lˌɪz əm/, nounun·ses·qui·pe·da·li·an, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sesquipedalian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sesquipedalian

sesquipedalian

less commonly sesquipedal (sɛsˈkwɪpədəl)

/ (ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪlɪən) /

adjective
tending to use very long words
(of words or expressions) long and ponderous; polysyllabic
noun
a polysyllabic word

Derived forms of sesquipedalian

sesquipedalianism, noun

Word Origin for sesquipedalian

C17: from Latin sēsquipedālis of a foot and a half (coined by Horace in Ars Poetica), from sesqui- + pedālis of the foot, from pēs foot
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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