tendentious
Meaning
expressing or supporting a particular opinion or point of view, especially one that is controversial or not impartial.
Structure
Usage
the article was criticized for its tendentious portrayal of the economic reforms.
he avoided tendentious language in his report, striving for absolute objectivity.
the debate was marred by tendentious arguments from both sides.
Etymology
the word "tendentious" originates from the german word tendenzios, which itself is derived from the latin root tendentia, meaning "tendency". this latin noun comes from the verb tendere, meaning "to stretch, strive, or aim". the core semantic link is from the physical act of stretching towards a goal to the figurative sense of leaning towards a particular viewpoint. the modern english adjective, formed by adding the suffixes "-ent" and "-ious" to the root "tend", thus carries the meaning of being characterized by a strong, often biased, aim or leaning in argumentation. it describes language or behavior that is not neutral but stretched purposefully towards a specific, usually controversial, conclusion.
Analysis
- tend: from latin tendere (to stretch, strive, aim). - ent: a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning "performing or being in a specified condition". - ious: a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning "full of or characterized by".