Other forms: inkhorns
As a noun, the word inkhorn describes a small container used to hold writing ink. As an adjective, it describes language that’s so excessively scholarly, it comes off as a bit pretentious.
The word inkhorn originally comes from the days when scholars and writers used small containers made from the horns of animals to hold their ink. These inkhorns were symbols of learning and literacy, essential for creating manuscripts, letters, and official documents. Over time, the word inkhorn also took on a more figurative meaning as an adjective, describing language that’s overly academic or pompous, typically used by someone trying too hard to sound smart.