Pedestrian

Pedestrian

Noun / Adjective · /pɪˈdes.tri.ən/

Definition

(Noun) a person who is walking, especially on a road or pavement; a walker. (Adjective) (1) relating to or designed for pedestrians — a pedestrian crossing, a pedestrian precinct. (2) (Figurative) lacking imagination or inspiration; dull and uninspired — a pedestrian performance, a pedestrian approach to design. The figurative sense arising from the contrast between walking on foot (slow, ground-level, unexciting) and travelling by other means.

Origin

From Latin pedester, pedestris (going on foot, belonging to infantry) — from pes, pedis (foot). Pedestrian therefore meaning of or belonging to the foot. Appearing in English from the early eighteenth century, initially in the literal sense of one who goes on foot, and developing the figurative dull, uninspired sense from the mid-eighteenth century through the implicit contrast with modes of travel — and thought — that are more elevated.