pedant

Meanings

• noun

  A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules, often to an annoying degree.

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with pedant
peddle , bedazzle , gobbledegook

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Variants

List of all variants of pedant that leads to same result
pedant , pedants

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Derived from the Latin word 'paedagogus', meaning 'teacher' or 'educator'. The term 'pedant' originally referred to a schoolmaster or tutor, but its meaning has evolved to denote someone who is overly concerned with formalities and details.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'pedant' was popularized in English literature during the Renaissance period.

2. The word 'pedant' has a negative connotation and is often used to criticize or mock someone for being overly concerned with details.

3. In some contexts, the term 'pedant' can be used as a term of endearment or admiration, such as when referring to a knowledgeable or expert individual.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Perfectionist: Both 'pedant' and 'perfectionist' refer to individuals who are excessively concerned with details and rules, but 'perfectionist' implies a higher standard of excellence and a drive for perfection, whereas 'pedant' suggests an annoying or irritating obsession.

2. Micromanager: A 'pedant' may be considered a type of 'micromanager', who excessively controls and manages small details, often to the detriment of the larger project or goal.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. A zealous "pedant", Flaubert defended the accuracy of his historical novels with wearisome tenacity, as if accuracy could compensate for their lack of lived experience.

   - James Atlas,{it}New York Times Book Review{/it},17 Oct. 1982

2. A controversialist, crusty, critical, arrogant, a "pedant", he was attacked by his contemporaries for sacrilege, impudence, temerity and presumption—among other imperfections.

   - Carl Sagan,{it}The Demon-Haunted World{/it},1996

3. All too often, science fiction provokes the "pedant" in professional scientists, for whom a beautiful story can be ruined by a single petty error.

   - Jerry A. Coyne,{it}New York Times Book Review{/it},10 Oct. 1999

4. This pioneer of the Age of the Sea, who deserves fame as an opener of the modern mind, has been caught in the cross fire of chauvinists, "pedants", and ignorant but enthusiastic men of letters.

   - Daniel J. Boorstin,{it}The Discoverers{/it},1983

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The term 'pedant' has been used in literature and art to portray characters who are overly formal or obsessed with details. For example, in Charles Dickens' 'Bleak House', the character Mr. Guppy is described as a 'pedantical young man' who is overly concerned with etiquette and formalities.

How to Memorize "pedant"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a person who is excessively concerned with minor details, such as a teacher correcting every error in a student's essay or a person who insists on arranging their books in alphabetical order.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'pedant' with the image of a person wearing a mortarboard and carrying a ruler or a red pen, emphasizing their obsession with rules and details.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'P-E-D-A-N-T' to remember the meaning: 'Person Excessively Detailed And Nitpicking'.

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