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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
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, adjectiveWords nearby sesquipedalian
sesquialtera, sesquicarbonate, sesquicentennial, sesquihydrate, sesquioxide, sesquipedalian, sesquiplane, sesquiterpene, Sesshu, sessile, sessile oak
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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, nounWord 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
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