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Glite Dictionary
verbolatry

verbolatry

9.9
A strong love of words and fancy language that ignores meaning
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : verbolatría
  • Some literary critics accuse certain writers of verbolatry, favoring ornate language over substance.

Examples

  • His verbolatry often led to misunderstandings.

  • His tendency toward verbolatry sometimes distracts from the actual message of his speeches.

  • The poet's verbolatry is evident in his playful manipulation of language.

  • I can't stand her verbolatries during meetings.

  • Some literary critics accuse certain writers of verbolatry, favoring ornate language over substance.

  • His tendency toward verbolatry sometimes distracts from the actual message of his speeches.

  • The poet's verbolatry is evident in his playful manipulation of language.

Synonyms

grammatolatry
vsverbolatry
  • Jargon
9.9

An extreme respect for language rules and exact words

places worship on spoken or verbal expression rather than on language system
word-worship
vsverbolatry
  • Literature
9.9

Giving too much value to how something is said instead of what it means

emphasizes reverence for verbal expression rather than reliance over meaning

How Reverent

verbolatry
  • Archaic
9.9
word-worship
  • Literature
9.9

Surface Forms

verbolatry singular
verbolatries plural

Morphology

verbolatry = verb (opaque) = verb + latry

The root 'latry' is not a standalone English word and requires specialized knowledge to understand its meaning of 'worship'.

Etymology

Verbolatry joins verb ('word') and -latry ('worship'), the same ending in idolatry. So, verbolatry means giving too much 'worship' or respect to words and language.