- Today's Word
Idolatrous
eye-DOL-uh-truhs
Definition
- (adjective) Excessively devoted to or reverent toward someone or something, often to the point of worship.
Example
The fans’ idolatrous admiration for the pop star bordered on obsession.
Fun Fact
While “idolatrous” has religious origins, it is often used today to describe extreme fandom or devotion in non-religious contexts, from celebrity culture to technology. It’s a fascinating way to highlight humanity’s capacity for passionate allegiance.
(adjective) Overly concerned with minor details, rules, or formal knowledge in a way that misses the bigger picture.
The pedantic editor returned the manuscript covered in corrections — not of factual errors or structural problems, but of comma placements and hyphenation rules nobody had followed since 1987.
Pedantic derives from the Italian pedante, meaning “schoolmaster” or “teacher,” which entered French as pédant before arriving in English in the late 16th century. The original meaning wasn’t entirely negative — a pedant was simply someone who taught or displayed learning. But the word quickly acquired its dismissive edge as writers and thinkers began using it to describe the kind of teacher who prioritizes the letter of knowledge over its spirit — someone who knows every rule but understands nothing.