Dugovjenost

Dugovjenost is a Croatian term that denotes the quality or state of being long-winded, specifically the tendency to elaborate beyond what is necessary in speech or writing. It corresponds to the English notions of prolixity or verbosity, focusing on excessive length rather than mere fluency.

The word is formed from the root dug, meaning long, with a suffix that creates an abstract noun representing a state or condition. In linguistic and rhetorical discussions, dugovjenost is used to describe a style characteristic that slows reading or listening and can obscure the main point.

In practice, dugovjenost appears in various contexts, including political speeches, academic texts, and journalism, where digressions, repetitive phrasing, and overly detailed descriptions prevail. While it is generally treated as a defect in aims of clarity and conciseness, some writers employ long-windedness deliberately for effect, rhythm, or humor, though such use is often debated among critics.

Dugovjenost is closely related to prolixnost and opširnost, both describing lengthiness in discourse, while sažetost (conciseness) serves as its common antonym. Distinctions between these terms can hinge on intent, audience, and genre; in formal writing, excessive length is typically discouraged in favor of precision and economy of expression.