CAPTIOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Captious is an adjective that refers to someone who is excessively critical or fault-finding, often in a petty, nit-picking manner. A captious person tends to look for flaws, errors, or mistakes, and is quick to express disapproval or make negative judgments. This quality is often associated with being overly sensitive or hard to please.
Derived from the Latin word "captiosus," meaning "apt for catching or snatching," captious individuals often have a knack for finding delicate faults or loopholes in arguments or statements. They may seize on small details while ignoring the larger context, making it difficult to have a meaningful conversation or reach a consensus.
Being captious is not limited to another person's work; it can also manifest in their own behavior. A captious individual may constantly doubt or criticize their own actions and abilities, perpetually second-guessing themselves.
The captious nature can create a tense and negative atmosphere, as their relentless scrutiny can discourage creativity and open communication. It is important to distinguish between constructive criticism and captiousness, as the former aims to provide helpful feedback while the latter often focuses on trivial flaws.
In everyday contexts, being captious can be seen in someone who habitually complains about inconsequential matters, has a pessimistic outlook, or consistently finds fault in others. Recognizing this characteristic is vital to fostering healthier relationships and maintaining a positive environment.
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Disposed to find fault; apt to cavil or raise objections; insidious.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for CAPTIOUS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CAPTIOUS
Etymology of CAPTIOUS
The word "captious" is derived from the Latin term "captiosus", which means "apt to catch or ensnare". The Latin term is a derivation of the verb "capere", meaning "to seize or take". Over time, the term "captious" evolved in English to encompass the notion of being overly critical or fault-finding.
Similar spelling words for CAPTIOUS
- CBWDS,
- IV-CPDS,
- gypaetus,
- CAPTOS,
- kapitsa,
- de-cubitus,
- COPATS,
- cubits,
- gepids,
- KBDSS,
- GPDOS,
- kibitz,
- CPDS,
- KBTUS,
- GBTEWS,
- QBITS,
- Cabotz,
- CWBTS,
- COPADOCI,
- kibbutz,
- CPDUS,
- Copts,
- capote's,
- CPDZ,
- CPPTZ,
- copouts,
- KBTSS,
- copitas,
- keypads,
- GAPDHS,
- Capetus,
- GPTTS,
- gobots,
- kupets,
- CPDES,
- Cabet's,
- kibbitz,
- cabots,
- CBETAS,
- CPD'S,
- CHBDS,
- capotes,
- CBTOS,
- CAPDS,
- kabaddis,
- KBYTES,
- kapadze,
- HKBTS,
- capitis,
- gobiids,
- copetas,
- cubitus,
- kbots,
- GPDASE,
- cabot's,
- captiously,
- quibids,
- cowpats,
- gobioids,
- Cupids,
- TT-GPTS,
- CBWTUS,
- CPDTS,
- GBITS,
- QUBITS,
- PLAD/CBTOS,
- COPDS,
- cubhoods,
- coptis,
- gobioides,
- cuboids,
- coopts,
- capitus,
- CBETS,
- CPETS,
- guptas,
- GPOTS,
- cobitis,
- CPDASE,
- cautious,
- EV-CPDS,
- CBDICE,
- caption,
- gobbets,
- CPPDS,
- CPTDS,
- gbytes,
- capades,
- CBATDS,
- kubitz,
- kapitza,
- gibbets,
- CPTS/STD,
- GEBoots,
- qubytes,
- coapts,
- capots,
- GBDOS,
- GPTASE,
- Cappadocia,
- cubit's,
- CPBDS.,
- CHECS/IV-CPDS,
- KBITSS.
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