prolix
UK /ˈpɹəʊ.lɪks/ · US /pɹoʊˈlɪks/ adjective, verb
Forms prolixes prolixing prolixed
- adjective (formal) Tediously lengthy; dwelling on trivial details.
- adjective (obsolete) Long; having great length.
- verb (rare) To be tediously lengthy.
Synonyms
verbose circumlocutory diffuse periphrastic palaverous pleonastic rigmarole sesquipedalian wordy
Antonyms
brief concise crisp laconic lapidary short-winded succinct tight to the point taut terse taciturn
Etymology
From Old French prolixe, from Latin prōlixus (“stretched out; courteous, favorable”). The verb is derived from the adjective.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Extending to a great length; unnecessarily long; minute in narration or argument; excessively particular in detail; --rarely used except with reference to discourse written or spoken; as, a prolix oration; a prolix poem; a prolix sermon.
- adjective Indulging in protracted discourse; tedious; wearisome; --applied to a speaker or writer.
Etymology [L. prolixus extended, long, prolix, probably fr. pro before, forward + liqui to flow, akin to liquidus liquid; cf. OL. lixa water: cf. F. prolixe. See Liquid.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “prolix”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details