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pseudo

adjective

/ˈsjuːdəʊ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of pseudo

Not genuine or authentic, but rather a copy, imitation, or counterfeit.
"He was exposed as a pseudo-scientist, his theories lacking any credible evidence."

Detailed meaning of pseudo

Pseudo is a prefix that comes from the Greek word "pseudēs" meaning "false" or "fake." When added to the beginning of a word, it creates an adjective that describes something that is not genuine or authentic, but rather is a copy, imitation, or counterfeit. For example, a pseudo-intellectual is someone who pretends to be knowledgeable and intelligent, but is not actually well-informed, or a pseudo-scientific theory is one that appears to be scientific, but is not actually based on scientific principles.

Pseudo can also be used to describe things that are meant to resemble or mimic something else, but are not actually the real thing. For example, a pseudo-medieval castle is a building that is designed to look like a medieval castle, but is not actually from that time period.

In the field of computer science, pseudo-code is an informal language that is used to express the logic of a computer program, but it is not a real programming language.

It is important to note that the prefix "pseudo" can be used with a wide range of words, and it's meaning can change accordingly. However, it always implies a sense of something not being genuine or authentic.

Example sentences containing pseudo

1. She was a pseudo-intellectual, who pretended to know more than she actually did.
2. The organization was a pseudo-charity, with little of its funds going to actual charitable causes.
3. The product was marketed as a pseudo-organic alternative to the real thing.
4. He was a pseudo-expert, who had no real qualifications in the field.
5. She was a pseudo-artist, who plagiarized the works of others.
6. The event was a pseudo-celebration, lacking any real enthusiasm or excitement.

History and etymology of pseudo

The adjective 'pseudo' finds its etymological origins in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word 'pseudes,' which means 'false' or 'lying.' In Greek, 'pseudes' was used to denote anything that was not genuine or authentic, often referring to false or deceptive representations. This term forms the basis for words like 'pseudonym,' meaning a false name or alias, and 'pseudoscience,' denoting a field of study that lacks scientific authenticity. In essence, 'pseudo' conveys the idea of something that is not what it claims to be—a copy, imitation, or counterfeit rather than the real thing. Therefore, the etymology of 'pseudo' reflects its historical association with falsehood and the portrayal of something as other than its true nature.

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Further usage examples of pseudo

1. The news source was a pseudo-journalistic, publishing sensationalized and biased articles.
2. The movement was a pseudo-religion, with little spiritual or philosophical depth.
3. He was a pseudo-philanthropist, who only donated money for publicity and personal gain.
4. She was a pseudo-friend, who only pretended to care when it suited her needs.
5. The building was a pseudo-historical, designed to look old but built with modern materials.
6. The pseudo-scientific claims lacked any substantial evidence or credibility.
7. He often resorted to pseudo-intellectual jargon to appear more profound.
8. Her pseudo-confidence concealed a deep well of insecurity.
9. The pseudo-historian's revisionist theories were widely debunked.
10. His pseudo-fame on social media was fleeting and hollow.
11. She could easily discern the pseudo-sincerity in his compliments.
12. The pseudo-philosopher's convoluted ideas left listeners perplexed.
13. The pseudo-designer handbag failed to pass as authentic with its shoddy craftsmanship.
14. He frequently assumed a posture of pseudo-expertise on various subjects.
15. The pseudo-artist's work lacked both originality and depth.
16. Her pseudo-gourmet cooking was nothing more than reheating frozen meals.
17. The pseudo-documentary was riddled with contrived and staged scenes.
18. The pseudo-celebrity's manufactured fame was orchestrated by a relentless PR team.
19. His pseudo-environmentalism was exposed as insincere when his wasteful habits emerged.
20. She saw right through his pseudo-romantic gestures, recognizing them as mere theatrics.
21. The pseudo-academic paper was a blatant example of plagiarism.
22. The pseudo-spiritual guru exploited vulnerable followers for personal gain.
23. His pseudo-humility was a façade intended to garner sympathy.
24. The pseudo-activist's true agenda was self-promotion rather than genuine advocacy.
25. The pseudo-vintage car turned out to be a modern reproduction, far from an authentic classic.