sequacious

adjective se·qua·cious \ si-ˈkwā-shəs \

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of sequacious

1 archaic : subservient, tractable

2 : intellectually servile

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sequaciously

adverb

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sequacity

play \si-ˈkwa-sə-tē\ noun

sequacious was our Word of the Day on 11/02/2012. Hear the podcast!

Did You Know?

Sequacious is formed from the Latin sequac-, or sequax (which means "inclined to follow" and comes from sequi, "to follow") and the English -ious. The original and now archaic meaning of sequacious was "inclined to follow" or "subservient." Although that meaning might as easily describe someone who willingly dropped into line behind a war leader, or who was unusually compliant or obedient in any sense, the concept gradually narrowed into the image of someone who blindly adopts ideas without much thought. Labeling a person sequacious is not very complimentary, and implies a slavish willingness to adopt a thought or opinion.