prolix
Meaning
using too many words and therefore boring or difficult to read or listen to
Structure
Usage
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.
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
pro- (Latin prefix, meaning 'forward, forth'); -lix (from Latin lixus, past participle of liquere, meaning 'to be fluid, to flow')