sequacious

adjective

se·​qua·​cious si-ˈkwā-shəs 

1

archaic : subservient, tractable

2

: intellectually servile

sequaciously adverb

sequacity

si-ˈkwa-sə-tē 

noun

Did you know?

Sequacious is formed from the Latin sequac-, or sequax (which means "inclined to follow" and comes from sequi, "to follow") and the English -ious. The original and now archaic meaning of sequacious was "inclined to follow" or "subservient." Although that meaning might as easily describe someone who willingly dropped into line behind a war leader, or who was unusually compliant or obedient in any sense, the concept gradually narrowed into the image of someone who blindly adopts ideas without much thought. Labeling a person sequacious is not very complimentary, and implies a slavish willingness to adopt a thought or opinion.

Word History

Etymology

Latin sequac-, sequax inclined to follow, from sequi

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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