‖ soi-disant, a.
(swadizɑ̃)
[F., f. soi oneself + disant, pres. pple. of dire to say.]
1. Of persons: Calling oneself; self-styled, would-be. (Usually with implication of pretence or deception.)
| 1752 Chesterfield Lett. ccxcii. (1792) II. 339 The pious æneas, who, like many soi disant pious people, does the most flagrant injustice and violence. 1794 Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) I. vii. 220 The people..seem to interest themselves very little in the fate of their soi-disant friends. 1818 Art Pres. Feet Pref. p. x, The difference between the..skilful practitioner, and the soi-disant corn doctor. 1874 W. P. Lennox Recoll. I. 273 My soi-disant constituent administered a pretty strong dose of soft-sawder. 1884 Contemp. Rev. Oct. 545 Is there any society..where such a piece of snobbism could be represented as possible in a soi-disant gentleman? |
2. Of things: Said or claimed to be such, without really being so; pretended.
| 1845 J. W. Croker Ess. Fr. Rev. i. (1857) 4 Circumstances which appear to have influenced his soi-disant historical labours. 1860 Ruskin Unto this Last i. §1 The modern soi-disant science of political economy. 1867 A. J. Wilson Vashti xxii, A soi-disant ‘resignation’ that draws honeyed lips to the throne of grace. |