What does expatiatory mean?
The adjective expatiatory describes a style of writing or speaking that is full and detailed, often in a formal or elaborate manner. It can imply a sense of verbosity or prolixity, suggesting that the language used is overly elaborate or wordy. In formal writing, expatiatory is often used to describe a style of writing or speaking that is elaborate and detailed. It can also be used to describe a person's tendency to use elaborate language or to provide overly detailed explanations. The word has Latin roots, with 'ex-' meaning 'out of' or 'from' and 'patiare' meaning 'to speak' or 'to tell'. In English, expatiatory is often contrasted with words like 'concise' or 'succinct', which describe a style of writing or speaking that is brief and to the point. Overall, expatiatory is a useful word for describing a style of writing or speaking that is elaborate and detailed, and it can help to add nuance and precision to one's language.
adjectiveDescribing or given to a full and detailed explanation or description, often in a formal or elaborate manner.
- Describing or given to a full and detailed explanation or description, often in a formal or elaborate manner.
"The professor's expatiatory lecture on the history of philosophy was renowned for its clarity and depth."
"The professor's expatiatory lecture on the history of philosophy was renowned for its clarity and depth."
"The writer's expatiatory style made the novel feel overly long and tedious."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of expatiatory
The word expatiatory has its roots in Latin, where 'ex-' is a prefix meaning 'out of' or 'from', and 'patiare' is a verb meaning 'to speak' or 'to tell'. The suffix '-ory' is used to form adjectives indicating a place or a means of doing something. In English, the word expatiatory has been used since the 17th century to describe a style of writing or speaking that is elaborate and detailed.
Usage notes
In formal writing, expatiatory is often used to describe a style of writing or speaking that is elaborate and detailed. It can also imply a sense of verbosity or prolixity.