soi-disant

English

Etymology

From French soi (“self”) + disant (“speaking, proclaiming”)

Adjective

soi-disant (not comparable)

1. Self-styled; self-proclaiming; self-proclaimed.
   • 1860, John Ruskin, Unto This Last, Cornhill Magazine

     Among the delusions which at different periods have possessed themselves of the minds of large masses of the human race, perhaps the most curious -- certainly the least creditable -- is the modern soi-disant science of political economy, based on the idea that an advantageous code of social action may be determined irrespectively of the influence of social affection.

Adverb

soi-disant

1. supposedly

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA: /swa.di.zɑ̃/

Adjective

soi-disant m. (f. soi-disante, m. plural soi-disants, f. plural soi-disantes)

1. so-called, supposed (so named)

Adverb

soi-disant

1. supposedly