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Glite Dictionary
pyknic type

pyknic type

9.9
A person with a short, round, heavy body
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪknɪk taɪp/
  • Archaic
translation icon : tipo pícnico
  • The psychologist classified him as having a pyknic type physique according to Kretschmer's typology.

Examples

  • The pyknic type is often associated with a stocky build.

  • Some scientists believed that personality traits were linked to the pyknic type body structure.

  • Her grandfather, with his pyknic type, always stood out in family photos.

  • Many people believe that the pyknic type is more prone to certain health issues.

  • The psychologist classified him as having a pyknic type physique according to Kretschmer's typology.

  • Her grandfather, with his pyknic type, always stood out in family photos.

  • Many people believe that the pyknic type is more prone to certain health issues.

Synonyms

endomorphy
vspyknic type
  • Specialized
9.9

A body shape that is round, soft, and has more body fat

is the anthropological term for the same round soft heavy body type

Surface Forms

pyknic type singular
pyknic types plural

Morphology

pyknic + type

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'pyknic' denotes a short, thick physique and 'type' denotes a class, so together they mean a class of bodies characterized by pyknic features. Although the term is technical, the meaning is compositionally predictable and follows standard adjective+noun patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it.

Etymology

Pyknic type comes from a Greek word meaning 'thick' or 'compact', and early doctors used pyknic to describe people with round, heavy bodies while type named the group. That's why pyknic type now means a body shape that is round and heavy.