noun

prolixity

proh-LIK-suh-tee/prəʊˈlɪksəti/

Excessive length or wordiness in speech or writing.

The toast's prolixity leaves diners lowering their glasses while the speaker continues reading.

An excessively drawn-out dinner toast: a speaker continues reading from a thick sheaf of notes while the waiting diners lower their glasses and an older guest discreetly urges him to wrap up.

Etymology

proLatinforth

+lixLatinto flow

+ityLatinstate or quality

The image of flowing forth underlies a Latin adjective meaning extended or stretched out. Applied to speech and writing, that length became the excessive wordiness named by prolixity.

In context

Libranima397:47

which I do not repeat here because prolixity begets disgust;

Don Quixote - Cervantes (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 3 of 4

More examples

The speaker's prolixity leaves little time for questions.
Despite its useful advice, the manual suffers from prolixity.
She avoids prolixity by stating her main point first.

Forms

prolixity

prolix adjective — Tediously long or wordy in expression.

Similar words

verbosity: Emphasizes excess words rather than excessive overall length.
wordiness: Usually describes cluttered phrasing, even within a short passage.