Tuesday, July 26, 2011

prolix



prolix [proʊˈlɪks] a.

1.) Of long duration, lengthy, protracted.
2.) Of a speech or writing: extended to great length; long; lengthy. Usually with implication of excessive length: wordy, tedious.
3.) Of a person: Given to or characterized by tedious lengthiness in discourse or writing; long-winded.
4.) Long in measurement or extent. Now rare (O.E.D. 2nd Ed.).

Etymology: Middle English, from Old French prolixe, from Latin prolixus, poured forth, extended, from pro- + lixus, past participle of liquēre, to flow, to be liquid.

"The direct, didactic, systematising, brevity of Aristotle contrasts remarkably with the indirect and circuitous prolixity, the multiplied suggestive comparisons, the shifting points of view, which we find in Plato" (Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, George Grote, 1867).

(Liseuse couronnée de fleurs ou la muse de Virgile, Camille Corot, 1845)

33 comments:

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

The next time we have a department meeting and my boss talks on and on, maybe I'll have to slip in a usage of this word ;) Haha

Salted Plum said...

Virgil's muse!

Anonymous said...

Reading Middlemarsh at the moment, now that is a book of considerable prolix. If I can use the word in that way. If I can't, well, I just did and you understood it perfectly - I hope - so... there.

ivy's closet said...

Its kind of an interesting word. Makes me think of something some one would have said around the civil war times. Of course, it was quite a long war.

Writer said...

You make me want to use words as though I were speaking in a Jane Austen novel. Thank you, thank you! :)

Daily Car Reviews said...

again really interesting!

Anonymous said...

dont take this the wrong way but that picture is how i feel sometimes when i read your blog ;) and the answer to your question is yes of course ive been to one. you basically can't avoid it here!

Unknown said...

I have met my share of prolix speakers in my day.

Diego Sousa said...

always educational :)

Admin said...

I need to learn to memorise the definition and origin of the word, got caught out when a girl challeneged me on where I heard it from! she thought i said prolapse

Zombie said...

I dont like going to graduations because of the long prolix the valedictorians make...

D4 said...

I like this one. Short but different. Usable.

Unknown said...

Oh I know some people who live by this word. They surely don't mean to but they do. (I think I occasionally slip into this category)

Major Mack said...

huh, i was wondering why those women kept describing my cock with this word.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I have a co-worker who weaves this word into casual conversation. Yeah, precisely.

Melanie said...

Since I began reading your blog, I delight in making those around me feel inferior. They just look at me like, "I should know what she means but I don't...omg, can't look stupid...smile and nod." Loving it.

Mai Yang said...

a dictionary reminds me of you..^_^
A very prolix vacation. (hope I got it right) haha!

Ante Babaja said...

i learned 1 new word thanks to you :D :D

themajessty said...

Great word. Especially for Scrabble.

themajessty said...

Also, do you play Scrabble? I'd bet you rock at it - I'm guessing you know many obscure words. (:

Pkblogger said...

awesome + follow

Kristin H said...

Thanks:) Have a great day!

Unknown said...

I reckon this blog is going to be useful, always a good thing to widen one's vocabulary. Followed and supported

Unknown said...

TROJAN PROLIX CONDOMS, FOR THE ULTRA MALE.

Bart said...

im a prolix in bed, thats what she said.

Viitoebe said...

Nice blog, man.
I have a new word to use now. Thanks haha

T Papar said...

i ve been in a few occasions where this word would be perfect. too bad i only learned it now... +followed

Shaw said...

Didn't know this one

MRanthrope said...

wish I could tell certain people to cut the prolix and SPIT IT OUT! lol. Get to the point people.

Anonymous said...

Screw Fiona not Bruce (jk), I like your blog. I may not remember half of these words but it's always fun to learn about new things.

Jay said...

Great word I can use it.

Jetah said...

I can think of a number of long winded speeches this word would apply to.

Lucas De Grandi said...

interesting blog man

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