Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Proceeding cautiously, or step by step; advancing tentatively.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective rare Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective obsolete Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Latin pes, pedis, foot + tendere to stretch out: compare Latin tentim by degrees.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word pedetentous.

Examples

  • I believe his motives are always pure, and his measures often able; but they are endless, and never done with that pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it behoves the wise and virtuous improver to walk.

    Sydney Smith Rusell, George W E 1904

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously

    June 8, 2008