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Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2000 17:26:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: wsmith@wordsmith.org
To: linguaphile@wordsmith.org
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--pedantic
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pedantic (pe-DAN-tik) adjective

   Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning
   and formal rules.

[French pedant, or Italian pedante (French, from Italian), possibly from
Vulgar Latin *paedens, -paedent-, present participle of -paedere, to
instruct, probably from Greek paiduein, from pais, paid-, child + -ic.]

   "Mr Updike uses different names for his characters... But the name
   changes are jarring, and their flavour is pedantic, as if Mr Updike
   simply wants credit for doing his homework."
   Witty, wise, then weary, Economist, Feb 19, 2000.

This week's theme: words from the world of learning and the learned.

.............................................................................
Men seek out retreats for themselves in the country, by the seaside, on the
moutains... But all this is unphilosophical to the last degree... when thou
canst at a moment's notice retire into thyself. -Marcus Aelius Aurelius

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Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/pedantic.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/pedantic.ram