Johnsonian, a. and n.
(dʒɒnˈsəʊnɪən)
[f. as prec. + -ian.]
A. adj. Of, belonging to, or characteristic of Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709–84), a celebrated English man of letters and lexicographer; applied esp. to a style of English abounding in words derived or made up from Latin, such as that of Dr. Johnson.
| 1791 Boswell Johnson (1831) I. 154 The concluding line is much more Johnsonian than it was afterwards printed. 1866 Miss Mulock Noble Life x. 172 In prolix and Johnsonian style. 1886 Ruskin Præterita I. xii. 415 Johnsonian symmetry and balance in sentences. |
B. n. A student or admirer of Dr. Johnson.
| 1887 Athenæum 25 June 825/1 Many of its most distinguished members have been as enthusiastic Johnsonians as Dr. Birkbeck Hill. |
Hence Johnˈsonianism, Johnsonian style, or a Johnsonian phrase; Johnˈsonianly adv., in a Johnsonian style. So also ˈJohnsonism = Johnsonianism; ˈJohnsonize v. trans., to clothe in or imbue with the style or language of Dr. Johnson. (All more or less nonce-wds.)
| 1791 Boswell Johnson (1831) I. p. xlii, I have Johnsonised the land; and I trust they will not only talk but think Johnson. 1807 T. Horne tr. Goede's Trav. Eng. II. 142 In England, the Johnsonianism is a prevalent disease. 1856 Webster, Johnsonism. c 1890 A. Murdock Yoshiwara Episode, etc. 78 Pompous, meaningless, and empty Johnsonianisms. |