Quote:
Originally Posted by ownedbycats
Reading a sci-fi novel and noticed the author kept referring to 'sentients' -- seeing as there were multiple alien species, I didn't think too much of it (though I'm pedantic enough to think it should been 'sapients'). But then I saw the word 'sentientarian.' Ouch.
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Well, "sapient" is usually considered an adjective so not sure "sapients" is an ideal solution. The OED does offer "sapient" as a noun but "In later use only jocularly", and I didn't find anyone else. (
The OED also offers the words sapiential, sapientious, and sapientipotent - which I rather like.)
Whereas "sentient" seems to be considered both a noun and adjective by various dictionaries (OED, Chambers, dictionary.com), without suggesting it is a joke, so I think I like "sentients" better.
But "sentientarian" ... sounds like an age description, so maybe a being made old with the weight of their wisdom. Am I close?