Chesterfieldian

From Chesterfield +‎ -ian.

Chesterfieldian (plural Chesterfieldians)

1. Someone who acts in a sophisticated, aristocratic manner, reminiscent of the fourth Earl of Chesterfield.
   • 1905, review of Studies in Montaigne, in The Nation (volume 80, no 2067, Feb 9, 1905) p. 118

     For example, in the chapter on “The Imperial Family," by Baron Sannomiya, this consummate Chesterfieldian, who acts as the court chamberlain, tells us what went on—outside of the imperial family.

Chesterfieldian (comparative more Chesterfieldian, superlative most Chesterfieldian)

1. In the style of the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, marked by brilliance, wit, and elegance in writing, and aristocratic assurance in life
   • 1778, Thomas Campbell, “Letter XXXI”, in A Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland: In a Series of Letters to John Watkinson, M.D., page 291:

     What most evidently prevailed, absit invidia, and what betrayed her into all the Chesterfieldian indecorums of laughter, was his addressing her in Irish.

   • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XLVIII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. , volume II, London: Henry Colburn, , →OCLC, page 311:

     Lady Anne was very angry, both at herself and the Count; nevertheless, his perfect simplicity and sincerity, and the nonchalance with which he spoke, amused her as much as it vexed her; and, as poor Georgiana, after various efforts to subdue her risibility, was constrained to laugh outright, the features of Lady Anne admitted the Chesterfieldian smile, and she exclaimed, "Really, Count, you are the drollest man in the world, and say the oddest things in the world."

   • 1891, George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Charles Braden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., page 617:

     Casting my fortunes at Mrs. Thompson's, I soon became initiated into the etiquette and usage of that polite caravansary; and I now write of that era of two-pronged forks, and when “saveall” was the choicest dish, and the observances at the table not altogether Chesterfieldian.

   • 1902, Bushrod Washington James, The political freshman, Bushrod Library, Philadelphia, page 197:

     And that is why the young man's manners are so near to Chesterfieldian perfection, why he can play with an artist's touch and expression, and why he actually does not understand the evils that surround us all.

   • 1967, Ross H. Dabney, Love and Property in the Novels of Dickens, University of California Press, page 28:

     On the one hand Sir John is a caricature of a Chesterfieldian aristocrat, clever, disdainful, mannered, coldly and discreetly sensual, careful of appearances, utterly selfish; on the other hand is mean and conniving, he plots for money, he pursues deadly enmities.

• Chestertonian