old teacher; pedantic scholar
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesnoun
old-style private tutor; schoolmaster
archaicRefers to teachers in traditional private schools or family-run educational settings in pre-modern times.
This old teacher taught him to read many classical texts.
All the children in the village were first educated by an old-style tutor.
noun
private advisor or secretary to an official (Qing Dynasty)
archaicSpecifically refers to unofficial advisors or secretaries serving Qing Dynasty officials, often skilled in paperwork and strategy.
This county magistrate had a very knowledgeable private advisor by his side.
noun
pedantic scholar; bookish person
derogatoryUsed to describe someone who is overly focused on book learning and rigid in thought, often out of touch with practical realities.
Ignore him, he's just a pedantic scholar who doesn't know how to be flexible.
This person is too rigid in his ways, a real pedant.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
With his pedantic temperament, nobody can persuade him.