noun
- the quality or characteristic of being donnish; pedantic or overly scholarly behavior or manner, especially in a way that is detached from practical concerns.
Usage: chiefly British; often used to describe the mannerisms or attitudes of university dons or academics
Examples
- His donnishness made him ill-suited for business negotiations.
- The professor's donnishness was evident in his obsession with obscure historical details.
- She criticized the donnishness of academic writing that ignored real-world applications.
- His donnishness and detachment from everyday life amused his more practical colleagues.
- The donnishness of the department was reflected in its focus on theory over implementation.