sesquipedality

English

Etymology

From sesquipedal +‎ -ity.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdæləti/

Noun

sesquipedality (countable and uncountable, plural sesquipedalities)

1. An instance or condition of being sesquipedalian.
   • 1759, [Laurence Sterne], chapter IX, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, 2nd (1st London) edition, volume II, London: […] R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley […], published 1760, →OCLC, pages 58–59:

     Imagine to yourſelf a little, ſquat, uncourtly figure of a Doctor Slop, of about four feet and a half perpendicular height, with a breadth of back, and a ſeſquipedality of belly, which might have done honour to a ſerjeant in the horſe-guards.