Pecksniffian

Related to Pecksniffian: unctuously

Peck·sniff·i·an

(pĕk-snĭf′ē-ən)

adj.

Hypocritically benevolent; sanctimonious.

[After Seth Pecksniff, a character in Martin Chuzzlewit, a novel by Charles Dickens.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Pecksniffian

(pɛkˈsnɪfɪən)

adj

(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) affecting benevolence or high moral principles

[C19: after Seth Pecksniff, character in Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit (1843)]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Peck•sniff•i•an

(pɛkˈsnɪf i ən)

adj. (often l.c.)

hypocritically affecting benevolence or high moral principles.

[1850–55; after Seth Pecksniff, character in Charles Dickens' novel Martin Chuzzlewit (1843); see -ian]

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Pecksniffian

adjective

Of or practicing hypocrisy:

hypocritical, pharisaic, pharisaical, phony, sanctimonious, two-faced.

Translations

Pecksniffian

adj → scheinheilig, heuchlerisch

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

But Baedeker was dreadfully Pecksniffian about these poor innocent etudiantes, many of whom love their lovers much more truly than many a British wife loves her husband, and are much better loved in return.

View in context

Within this context, the arguments are Pecksniffian. They are akin to indicting the use of Darjeeling when foretelling the future from tea leaves.

Drivel as Dogma

Earlier this week, Mario Balotelli, Liverpool's striker, got into a spot of trouble when he reposted an image on Instagram that offended the Pecksniffian Praetorians of political correctness.

Leave Mario Balotelli Alone

In truth, being an Islamite may be an impossibility for ADP considering the overweening, Pecksniffian unction characterizing Arab social theory about ADP over the last millenia.

The Azibo Nosology II: epexegesis and 25th anniversary update: 55 culture-focused mental disorders suffered by African descent people

He is for ''fair trade,'' aka protectionism disguised in Pecksniffian sanctimony demanding that less-developed nations adopt stronger labor and environmental standards.

Brown a Progressive with punch

Yet aren't MPs the people who voted the cash for protection - the same Pecksniffian, unctuous Johnny-come-latelies who brought Britain to its parlous state?