prolix
UK[ˈprəʊ.lɪks]US[ˈproʊ.lɪks]
adj
using too many words and therefore boring or difficult to read or listen to
Morpheme Breakdown
pro
lix
pro
forward
lix
to flow
Etymology
The word 'prolix' originates from Latin prolixus, meaning 'extended, stretched out, long'. This Latin term is a compound of pro- ('forward') and lixus ('flowing'), from the verb liquere ('to be fluid'). The literal sense of 'flowing forth' evolved metaphorically to describe speech or writing that flows on at excessive length. Over time, this descriptive term for extended discourse acquired its modern, often negative, connotation of tedious verbosity.
Analysis
Structure: pro (forward) + lix (to flow)
pro- (Latin prefix, meaning 'forward, forth'); -lix (from Latin lixus, past participle of liquere, meaning 'to be fluid, to flow')
Examples
his prolix style made the report nearly unreadable.
the professor was known for his fascinating lectures, though some found them slightly prolix.
she edited the prolix manuscript down to a concise and powerful article.