— pedantesque , adj. — pedanthood , n.
/ped"nt/ , n.
1. a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning.
2. a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details.
3. a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense.
4. Obs. a schoolmaster.
[ 1580-90; pedante teacher, pedant; appar. akin to PEDAGOGUE; see -ANT ]
Syn. 2. hairsplitter.