orotund
Definitions
(of a voice) full, rich, and resonant.
（声音）洪亮圆润的。
(of speech or writing) pompous, overblown, or self-important.
（言辞）夸张做作的，浮夸的。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom the Latin phrase ore rotundo, 'with a round mouth' — or (mouth) + rotundus (round). Horace used it to praise clear, well-rounded speech. The 'full, rounded' voice sense came first; the disapproving 'pompous' sense developed later.
Root or still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Orotund literally means 'round-mouthed.' Picture a speaker opening the mouth wide and round to produce a deep, booming, resonant tone — that's the original, admiring sense. But a voice that's too full and grand can sound pretentious, so the word soured into a second meaning: pompous, inflated speech. The same image (a round, sonorous mouth) reads as either impressive or overdone, depending on taste.
Usage Guide
A literary, somewhat rare word. Tone matters: 'an orotund voice' is usually admiring (rich, commanding), while 'orotund prose' is usually critical (pompous, windy). Context tells you which.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The judge spoke in a deep, orotund voice.
- 2.
His speech was orotund and full of empty grandeur.