Solecism Definition

sŏlĭ-sĭzəm, sōlĭ-
noun
A nonstandard usage or grammatical construction.
American Heritage
A violation of the conventional usage, grammar, etc. of a language; ungrammatical use of words (Ex.: “We done it” for “We did it”)
Webster's New World
A violation of good manners; breach of etiquette.
Webster's New World
A mistake or impropriety.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Solecism

Noun

Singular:
solecism
Plural:
solecisms

Origin of Solecism

  • Latin soloecismus from Greek soloikismos from soloikizein to speak incorrectly from soloikos speaking incorrectly after Soloi (Soli), an Athenian colony in Cilicia where a dialect regarded as substandard was spoken

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From the Ancient Greek σολοικισμός (soloikismos), from σόλοικος (soloikos, “speaking incorrectly"), from Σόλοι (Soloi), an ancient Athenian colony in Cilicia whose inhabitants spoke a dialect that Athenians regarded as a corrupted and barbarous form of Attic Greek.

    From Wiktionary

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