metagrobolism

English

Etymology

Coined in translation of Rabelais' works, from Middle French matagrabolisme, from matagraboliser (“mystify”). The first element is from Ancient Greek μάταιος (mátaios, “vain, futile”), but altered to assimilate to the prefix meta-.

Noun

metagrobolism (uncountable)

1. (humorous, rare) Concealment, mystification, obfuscation.
   • 1653, François Rabelais, Gargantua and Pantagruel:

     [A]ll the autonomatic metagrobolism of the Romish Church, when tottering and emblustricated with the gibble-gabble gibberish of this odious error and heresy, is homocentrically poised.

Related terms

• metagrobolize
• metagrobologist