PRECISIAN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Precisian

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noun

Precisian n.

One who limits, or restrains. (Obs.)

An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; formerly applied to the English Puritans. "The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian."

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Etymology of 'Precisian'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Precisian" Quotes from Famous Books

... without doubting, knows men. Hence the virtuous prince moves, and for ages shows empire the way." But there is no need to seek remote examples. He is a dull observer whose experience has not taught him the reality and force of magic, as well as of chemistry. The coldest precisian cannot go abroad without encountering inexplicable influences. One man fastens an eye on him and the graves of the memory render up their dead; the secrets that make him wretched either to keep or to betray must be yielded;—another, and he cannot speak, and the bones of his body seem ...

— Essays, Second Series • Ralph Waldo Emerson

... even in this single respect, no rival. No unimportant condition of his supreme mastery over expression was his entire freedom from restraint—it may almost be said from consciousness—in the choice of language. He was no precisian, no etymologist, no purist. He was not purposely writing literature. The only criticism that he feared was that of his audience, which represented the English people of all grades above the peasantry. These he wished should not find his writing incomprehensible or dull: no more. ...

— Choice Specimens of American Literature, And Literary Reader - Being Selections from the Chief American Writers • Benj. N. Martin

... of hell, mustering in fearful manner, Of sundry-coloured silks displayed a banner, Which he had stol'n; and wished, as they did tell, That one day he might find it all in hell. The man, affrighted at this apparition, Upon recovery grew a great precisian. He bought a Bible of the new translation, And in his life he showed great reformation. He walked mannerly and talked meekly; He heard three lectures and two sermons weekly; He vowed to shun all companies unruly, And in his speech ...

— The Book of Humorous Verse • Various