altiloquent

English

Etymology

Pseudo-Latinism, derived from altē (“high; from on high”, adverb) +‎ loquēns (“speaking; talking”, present active participle of loquor (“to say”)), literally “high-speaking”.

Adjective

altiloquent (comparative more altiloquent, superlative most altiloquent)

1. Pompous, or pretentious in speech
   • 1976, John Gardner, Jason and Medeia, Ballantine Books:

     [T]hey listened, dazzle-eyed- secretly making lists- to grandly romantic trash: bad poetry, stupid theology- altiloquent designs in the empty air.

   • 1921, Holman Day, All Wool Morrison, Kessinger Publishing:

     He remembered that the politeness seemed too elaborate, too florid, altiloquent to the extent of insincerity.

Translations

pompous or pretentious in speech

• Portuguese: altiloquente (pt)