Vocabularians

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of individuals deeply engaged in the study and use of words, particularly in an academic or intellectual context
2. People who place significant emphasis on an extensive and nuanced vocabulary
3. Individuals who advocate for rich language and articulate expression, often enhancing communication skills

Etymology: "Vocabularians" is the plural of "vocabularian," a word formed by adding the suffix "-an" to "vocabulary." The base word goes back to Latin "vocabulum," meaning a word or name, from "vocare," to call, so the term ultimately describes people who call words to mind. The suffix "-an," as in "librarian" or "historian," marks a person associated with or occupied with something, so a vocabularian is one who concerns themselves with vocabulary. The OED records "vocabularian" as both an adjective and a noun, and the plural form simply follows the usual English pattern of adding "-s." The word is a straightforward coinage in English rather than a term carried over from an older language, so its interest lies mostly in how neatly the parts combine to name a community of word enthusiasts.