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Definition 2024

mumpsimus

mumpsimus

English

Noun

mumpsimus ‎(plural mumpsimuses)

  1. A person who obstinately adheres to old ways in spite of clear evidence that they are wrong; an ignorant and bigoted opponent of reform.
  2. An obvious error that is obstinately repeated despite correction.

Antonyms

See also

  • Wikisaurus:obstinacy

References

  1. ↑ James A. H. Murray [et al.], editor (1884–1928) A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), London: Clarendon Press, OCLC 15566697; and The Oxford English Dictionary; being a Corrected Re-issue with an Introduction, Supplement, and Bibliography of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (the First Supplement), Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933, OCLC 2748467.
  2. ↑ “Mumpsimus”, World Wide Words, Michael Quinion, 17 Mar. 2001.

Etymology

Malapropism of Latin sumpsimus,[1] form of sūmō ‎(“I take”), from a story of an old monk who misrecited the Eucharist with quod in ōre mumpsimus instead of quod in ōre sumpsimus “which we have taken into the mouth”, and stubbornly continued using the incorrect form even after being corrected. Attested 1530 in The Practice of Prelates by William Tyndale, variously attributed to Richard Pace (1517) or Desiderius Erasmus.[2]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmʌmpsɪməs/

Similar Results