solecism
a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage, as unflammable and they was.
a breach of good manners or etiquette.
any error, impropriety, or inconsistency.
Origin of solecism
1Other words from solecism
- sol·e·cist, noun
- sol·e·cis·tic, sol·e·cis·ti·cal, adjective
- sol·e·cis·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with solecism
- solecism , solipsism
Words Nearby solecism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use solecism in a sentence
Do not even consider committing the solecism of serving it with parmigiano.
The party was given especially in her honour, and to omit her from any description of it would be an unpardonable solecism.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor TrollopeIt cut them down to vassals, but, by a legal solecism, they were regarded as a sort of free vassals.
The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. SchoolcraftFor a free and extended empire on a continent are incompatible: to think they are not is a perfect solecism in politicks.
The fair city of Perth is a solecism in point of site, and many a flooding it gets in consequence.
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 440 | Various
Let us try the test of an expression somewhat kindred in etymology: such a word as would carry upon its face a damning solecism.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3 | W. E. Gladstone
British Dictionary definitions for solecism
/ (ˈsɒlɪˌsɪzəm) /
the nonstandard use of a grammatical construction
any mistake, incongruity, or absurdity
a violation of good manners
Origin of solecism
1Derived forms of solecism
- solecist, noun
- solecistic or solecistical, adjective
- solecistically, adverb
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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