English

Noun

nonsensification ‎(plural nonsensifications)

1. (rare) The act of producing nonsense; the nonsense so produced.
   • 1816, Sir Walter Scott, The Antiquary: Volume II, ch. 1:

     "Only a simple suffumigation," said the Baronet, "accompanied by availing ourselves of the suitable planetary hour."

     "Simple suffumigation? simple nonsensification—planetary hour? planetary fiddlestick!"

   • 1959, J. A. M. Meerloo, "Psychoanalysis as an Experiment in Communication," The Psychoanalytic Review, vol. 46. no. 1, p. 80:

     "Nonsensification": Senseless associations are concocted as a strategy of confusion, especially by compulsives.

   • 1992, A. E. Barshay, "Imagining Democracy in Postwar Japan," Journal of Japanese Studies, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 382 n.44:

     Simon Weil considered "nonsensification" to be characteristic of fascist regimes.

   • 2001, Webster R. Calloway, Jean Piaget: A Most Outrageous Deception, ISBN 9781560729501, p. 122:

     The Child's Conception of Space (Piaget & Inhelder, 1956) represents a tremendous mental effort to describe the metaphysical contents of Space, the marvelous monads, without really communicating it to anyone. . . . This book is an extraordinary example of nonsensification.

Related terms

• nonsensify