latinate
From ancient Rome
Latinate describes words, phrases, or styles derived from or characteristic of Latin.
English has two main vocabulary streams: Anglo-Saxon words (short, plain, everyday) and Latinate words (longer, often more formal or technical).
Commence is Latinate where begin is native; utilize where use would do.
Latinate prose tends toward abstraction and complexity—sometimes appropriately elevated, sometimes needlessly pompous.
Having many syllables
- sesquipedalianGiven to lengthy vocabulary
- multisyllabicHaving many syllables
- formalFollowing strict protocol
- elevatedRaised above usual level
learned · technical · scientific · medical · legal · ecclesiastical · aureate · inkhorn
Following strict protocol
- elevatedRaised above usual level
- learnedHaving much knowledge
- pedanticExcessively concerned with minor rules
- literaryOf written works
ceremonial · bureaucratic · legalistic · technical · pompous · highfalutin · pretentious · stilted
Of ancient Italy's capital
- RomanceLatin-descended language group
- derivationSource or origin tracing
- rootUnderground absorbing structure
- stemPlant's central axis
affix · prefix · suffix · cognate · borrowing · loanword · calque · French
Word-part modifier
- prefixRoot-modifying front element
- suffixWord-ending addition
- inflectionWord form alteration
- conjugationVerb form variation system
declension · case · gender · number · tense · ablative · genitive · dative
polysyllabic
Having many syllables
- sesquipedalianGiven to lengthy vocabulary
- multisyllabicHaving many syllables
- formalFollowing strict protocol
elevated · learned · technical · scientific · medical · legal · ecclesiastical · aureate · inkhorn · borrowed
formal
Following strict protocol
- elevatedRaised above usual level
- learnedHaving much knowledge
- pedanticExcessively concerned with minor rules
literary · ceremonial · bureaucratic · legalistic · technical · pompous · highfalutin · pretentious · stilted · ornate
Roman
Of ancient Italy's capital
- RomanceLatin-descended language group
- derivationSource or origin tracing
- rootUnderground absorbing structure
stem · affix · prefix · suffix · cognate · borrowing · loanword · calque · French · Italian
affix
Word-part modifier
- prefixRoot-modifying front element
- suffixWord-ending addition
- inflectionWord form alteration
conjugation · declension · case · gender · number · tense · ablative · genitive · dative · accusative
latinateAnglo-Saxon
Pre-Conquest British Germanic peoples
Germanic · Old English · Teutonic · Norse · Hellenic