Meaning of persnickety | Babel Free

Definitions

US standard form of pernickety.

US, alt-of, standard

Examples

“Marjorie glanced up and down the long street. “Well, I never in my life saw⟳ so many different kinds of houses!” she exclaimed. “Aren’t they funny! Why, they look⟳ almost like⟳ people. Look⟳ at that little persnickety one over there — the white, white one with the green, green blinds — doesn’t it look⟳ exactly like⟳ —””

“I have⟳ just read⟳ the article in your issue⟳ for May 16 on dialectic English. The word tempest recalls the surprise⟳ I felt at the beginning of three years' residence on Cape Cod to hear⟳ the word used commonly as an exact synonym for thunderstorm. Persnickety I have⟳ been accustomed to use⟳ in the sense⟳ attached to perjinkety, that is, over-fastidious. I do not know⟳ how the word was acquired or how common its use⟳ is.”

“Her free and easy association with her fellow nurses is prone to break⟳ down her womanly reserve⟳ and natural modesty. Her assiduity in clinging to ideals of modest begins to abate as a result⟳. She is inclined to think⟳ she has been too “persnickety;” that this is unnecessary when one understands “the naturalness of the physical body.” She wonders what is the use⟳. And forthwith the foundation is laid for Moral Lenity.”

CEFR level