Clerklier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Showing a more pronounced resemblance to a clerk, with a precise, bookish, or office-like manner
2. Having a more marked air of a scholarly copyist or office worker in appearance or behavior
3. More closely resembling a clerical worker, especially in being meticulous, bookish, or fussy about routine

Etymology: "Clerklier" is the comparative of "clerkly," so it means more clerkly, the form of the adjective used to compare how scholarly or learned-looking someone is. The base word "clerkly" is simply "clerk" with the adjective-forming suffix "-ly," which turns a noun into a description of its qualities, as in "manly" or "kingly." Its heritage lies with "clerk" itself, which once meant a learned churchman or scholar, so a clerkly person was one who behaved like such a figure.

Synonyms: scholarly, learned