pedantism Now rare.
(ˈpɛdəntɪz(ə)m)
[f. pedant + -ism. Perh. immediately a. F. pédantisme (Montaigne, 16th c., in Hatz.-Darm.).]
† 1. The office or authority of a schoolmaster; the state of being under a schoolmaster or teacher, pupillage. Also fig. Obs.
| 1603 Florio Montaigne i. xxv. (1632) 78 The first fifteene or sixteene yeares of his life, are due unto Pedantisme, the rest unto action. 1611 Cotgr., Pedagogie,..th' Office of a Teacher; also Pedantisme. 1651 Biggs New Disp. ¶232 Nor have not since my pedantisme and junior practise in the medical profession. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Pedantism, the Office or Function of a Pedant. 1658 in Phillips. |
2. The character or style of a pedant; pedantic phraseology, treatment, or method; pedantry.
| 1593 Nashe Four Lett. Confut. Ep. Ded., Wks. (Grosart) II. 180 Loue poetry, hate pedantisme. 1628 Feltham Resolves ii. xliv, They conversing onely among bookes, are put into affectation and pedantisme. 1879 Farrar St. Paul I. 32 How unutterably frivolous this apotheosis of pedantism would appear to a serious-minded..Jew. |
3. With a and pl. A piece of pedantry. † a. The proceeding of a pedant or dogmatic pedagogue; b. A pedantic expression or characteristic.
| 1656 J. Harrington Oceana Wks. (1700) 59 To make a man..engage to believe no otherwise than is believ'd by my Lord Bishop, or Goodman Presbyter, is a Pedantism, that has made the Sword to be a Rod in the hands of School⁓masters. 1858 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. viii. i. (1872) III. 1 These confused Prussian History-Books, opulent in nugatory pedantisms and learned marine-stores. |