philosopause

English

noun
Definitions
  • The informally observed tendency of mature or elderly scientists, who apparently have outlived their most productive years of research and similar practical work, to -discontinue or decrease their participation in such activity, in favour of pursuing, and often publishing, philosophical theories or speculations. Commonly the implication is that such works are beyond the authors' recognised field of competence, and, as a result, typically of disappointing value or standard.

Etymology

Derived from Ancient Greek παῦσις (stopping, discontinuance, ceasing, ending).

Origin

Ancient Greek

παῦσις

Gloss

stopping, discontinuance, ceasing, ending

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

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Cognates and derived terms