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Oxfordian

Oxfordian

9.9
Relating to the theory that Edward de Vere wrote Shakespeare's works
  • adjective
  • /ˌɑksˈfɔrdiən/
  • Jargon
translation icon : oxfordiano
  • Many scholars who support the theory that Edward de Vere is the true author of the plays have adopted an Oxfordian perspective.

Examples

  • In a recent debate, he argued from an Oxfordian standpoint about the true author of the works attributed to Shakespeare.

  • The Oxfordian view of Shakespeare's authorship has gained popularity in recent years.

  • If you do that in an Oxfordian or Stratfordian arena, you will be dismissed out of hand as either something akin to a "holocaust denier," a "snob," or simply a "conspiracy theorist."

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Surface Forms

Oxfordian positive

Morphology

Oxfordian = Oxford (semi-transparent) = Oxford + ian

Morphologically clear as 'Oxford' + '-ian', but the sense is specialized (referring to the Oxfordian authorship theory/Earl of Oxford), so the precise meaning requires extra historical/scholarly knowledge.

Etymology

Oxfordian here comes from the title Earl of Oxford and the ending -ian, meaning 'relating to'. It is used for the idea that the Earl of Oxford wrote Shakespeare's works, so an Oxfordian view is a view 'relating to' that authorship theory.