doctrinaire (2009-08-24)

Part of Speech: noun

Pronunciation: [däk′tri ner′]

Definition: A person who dogmatically seeks to apply theories regardless of the practical problems involved.

Usage: "The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers." - Carroll Quigley

Suggested Usage: (1) Yet for all their differences both views reflect the same doctrinaire approach to the question of the role of markets. (2) This decision is not doctrinaire but pragmatic best value.

Etymology: French from doctrine, doctrine.