pedetentous
English
Etymology
From Latin pes, pedis (“foot”) + tendō (“to stretch out”). Compare Latin tentim (“by degrees”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˌpɛdɪˈtɛntəs/
Adjective
pedetentous (not comparable)
- (obsolete) Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously.
- 1838, Sydney Smith, Lord John Russell
- that pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it behooves the wise and virtuous improver to walk
- 1838, Sydney Smith, Lord John Russell
Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
(See the entry for pedetentous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913)