Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
lexiphanic en · ADJ
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Lexiphan(es) + -ic, after a character in the works of Lucian. Coined by the Scottish satirist Archibald Campbell as Lexiphanick, Lexiphanic in 1767.
Meanings
-
Using bombastic or pretentious wording or language.
Dr. Johnson has given an explanation of this passage, which is an amusing specimen of his Lexiphanic style: "to feel the convulsions of eructation without plenitude."
1852, Charles Knight, editor, The Comedies, Histories, Tragedies, and Poems of William Shakspere: Tragedies, vol. 2., page 128:
Forms
Deriveds
lexiphanicism · lexiphanically
Relateds
lexiphane
Synonyms
magniloquent
wikipedia: Lucian
lexiphanic en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
From Lexiphan(es) + -ic, after a character in the works of Lucian. Coined by the Scottish satirist Archibald Campbell as Lexiphanick, Lexiphanic in 1767.
Meanings
-
(rare) One who uses bombastic or pretentious wording or language.
Kudos to you. Needed someone like you calling out the phoney lexiphanics.
2019 April 3, @VedangChauhan, Twitter (post):The printer who undertook the work deſerves much credit, inasmuch as he had before him the numerous remnants of periodical magazines, which have lived to die a ſpeedy death, & which are ſufficient to terrify any one actuated by the motives of certain intereſt, and an inſured return. Every father ſhould introduce this work into his parlour. He will find ſound religion, and uſeful information upon all ſubjects, conveyed in chaſte language, and in a ſtile free from the bombaſt of the Lexiphanic, or the puerility of the hireling.
1801 October 12, “The Monthly Review. [From the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser.]”, in The Independent Chronicle: and Universal Advertiser, volume XXXIII, number 2143, Boston, Mass.: Adams & Rhoades, →OCLC, page [4], column 1:So what can you possibly say about someone who has actually compiled a dictionary of long and unusual words? […] “But Mrs. Byrne,” I said, “don’t you feel your dictionary might just metagrobolise (mystify) the average man and, worse, turn the harageous rodomontades (bold braggarts) among us into linguacious lexiphanics (talkative snobs)?”
1979 November 22, Stephen Downes, “Secrets of a chronic logolept”, in The Age, 126th year, Melbourne, Vic., →OCLC, page 11, column 4:Lexiphanics, especially those who write for a living, usually have to hide their penchant for words from slashing editors, to whom such tendencies are anathema. Lexiphanics are people given to the use of pretentious terminology—and they are among those who will enjoy this little book of words [The Superior Person’s Little Book of Words].
1983 April 9, Carol Goodwin, “Sesquipedalian nimiety is fustian”, in Kitchener-Waterloo Record, city edition, 106th year, Kitchener, Ont., →ISSN, →OCLC, page D6, column 5:
Forms
Synonyms
lexiphane
wikipedia: Lucian