Is there a word for words that are self-defining, e.g, polysyllabic?
I searched for tsuwm's "autological": and found a site that gives some discussion, and a list of examples.
http://www.stanford.edu/~segerman/autological.htmlFor the heck of it I tried "ipsonymic" but drew a blank. Sob,sob!
...words that are self-defining, e.g, polysyllabic?
...and sesquipedalian
polysyllabic? - ...and sesquipedalian
A fortuitous juxtaposition of words, wofa.
In my essay-writing classes, I warn my students against polsyllabic sesquipedalianism (and privately judge who is who among the class by seeing who laughs and who looks blank!)
I warn my students against polsyllabic sesquipedalianism
...not unlike the bumper sticker ESCHEW OBFUSCATION.
I like the derivation.
sesqui- = one-and-a-half, as in sesquicentennial = a 150th-year oservation
pedal = pertaining to the foot
The word is a foot and a half long!