Technicalism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A specialized term or piece of technical language used within a particular field ; the excessive use of technical jargon in speech or writing ; a focus on technical details at the expense of the wider meaning
2. A word or phrase drawn from a specialized discipline ; the overuse of expert vocabulary that obscures communication ; an overly narrow concentration on technical particulars rather than the broader sense
3. Technical language belonging to a specific field ; the habit of relying on specialist jargon that confuses listeners ; a fixation on technical minutiae instead of the larger picture

Etymology: "Technicalism" is a plain compound: "technical" joined to the suffix "-ism", which marks a doctrine, practice, or characteristic. The pattern is ordinary, so the interest lies in what the suffix does to the adjective. "Technical" describes things connected with an art, craft, or applied science, and adding "-ism" turns that quality into a named tendency, the habit of stressing technical detail or technique above other concerns. The word therefore reads as a judgment on a style, usually an unflattering one, suggesting that the technique has crowded out meaning or feeling.

Synonyms: legalism, pedantry, formalism