book-learnedadj.
/ˈbʊkˌləːnᵻd/, /ˈbʊkˌləːnd/, /ˈbʊkˌləːnt/, U.S. /ˈbʊkˌlərnəd/, /ˈbʊkˌlərnd/, /ˈbʊkˌlərnt/ Having knowledge acquired (only) from books; knowledgeable about books. Now frequently somewhat depreciative (cf. book learning n.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > [adjective] > skilled in letters
book-lereda1250
lettereda1375
bookeda1393
texted14..
letterlya1425
literate?a1475
book-learnedc1475
clerklya1529
book-read1591
bookwise1593
read1594
letter-learned1771
book-formed1798
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > pedantry > [adjective] > acquainted merely with books
bookish1566
book-learned1693
bookful1711
booksy1930
c1475 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Taylor) in J. Robson Three Early Eng. Metrical Romances (1842) 26 (MED) Boke-lornut [a1500 Douce Boke lered] byrnus and bischoppus of the beste.
1535 J. Husee Let. 15 Apr. in J. Gairdner Lett. & Papers Reign Henry VIII (1885) (modernized text) VIII. 206 My lady Norfolk,—I mean the Duke's wife,—who works well and is book-learned.
1601 A. Dent Plaine Mans Path-way to Heauen 354 I am somewhat ignorant, I am not booke-learned.
1689 J. Collier Moral Ess. conc. Pride 76 Your old Heroes in Homer, (for want of being Book-Learned) were none of the Gentilest Men.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Persius Satires iii. 38 What-e're those Book-learn'd Blockheads say.
1780 Mirror (1781) No. 75. 3 2 They, being book-learned gentlemen, write in divers tongues.
1837 R. W. Emerson Misc. 77 The book-learned class, who value books as such.
1935 Z. N. Hurston Mules & Men i. vii. 163 His ma was real proud to have de only boy 'round there dat was book-learnt.
2003 J. McManus Positively Fifth Street 247 Slick little east-coast book-learned weasel that I am.
Derivatives
ˈbook-learnedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > [noun] > scholarliness
knowledgec1475
clerkliness1533
scientialness1579
learning1611
scholarliness1611
learnedness1646
book-learnedness1661
research1700
knowledgeability1998
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > [noun] > scholarliness > in books
book-learnedness1661
book-mindednessa1807
1661 K. W. Confused Characters 32 He hath obtained to so high a measure of book learnednes.
1816 S. T. Coleridge Statesman's Man. 48 The ‘sound book learnedness’, into which our old public schools still continue to initiate their pupils.
1999 R. Gordon in V. Flint et al. Witchcraft & Magic in Europe II. iii. 263 The circumstantial evidence that Apuleius attempts to answer in his speech:..the nocturnal rituals, book-learnedness, Platonism.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.c1475