Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The style or language of Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709–84), or an imitation of it; a pompous, inflated style, characterized by words of classical origin (often manufactured).

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The literary style of Dr. Samuel Johnson, or one formed in imitation of it; an inflated, stilted, or pompous style, affecting classical words.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Your practice of johnsonese is amusing, but seriously I have to move on, this is getting way out of the scope of this thread, besides I have things to do.

    A HERO FOR BOBO • by Rena Sherwood 2008

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