fastidious
Meaning
Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
Very concerned about matters of cleanliness
Structure
Usage
She was fastidious about her appearance, never leaving the house with a single hair out of place.
His fastidious attention to grammar made him an excellent proofreader.
The chef was fastidious in his kitchen, demanding that every surface be spotless.
Etymology
The word 'fastidious' originates from the Latin fastidium, a noun meaning 'disgust, loathing, or squeamishness'. This Latin term likely evolved from a combination of fastus ('disdain, arrogance') and taedium ('weariness, disgust'). The literal sense of being 'full of disgust' or 'easily disgusted' passed into English in the 15th century. Over time, the meaning shifted from a strong reaction of revulsion to a more refined sensitivity, describing someone who is excessively critical and hard to please, especially in matters of taste, detail, or cleanliness.
Analysis
fastid (from Latin fastidium, meaning 'loathing, squeamishness, disgust'); ious (English adjectival suffix, from Latin -iosus, meaning 'full of, characterized by')