--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Crabbed and obscure definitions are of no…" description: "\"Crabbed and obscure definitions are of no use beyond a narrow circle of students, of whom probably every one has a pet one of his own.\" — Frederick Pol..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/frederick-pollock-29925_beyond_crabbed-and-obscure-definitions-are-of-n_1358193.jpg" --- # Crabbed and obscure definitions are of no use beyond a… ![“Crabbed and obscure definitions are of no use beyond a narrow circle of students, of whom probably every one has a pet one of his own.” quote by Frederick Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/frederick-pollock-29925_beyond_crabbed-and-obscure-definitions-are-of-n_1358193.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/frederick-pollock-29925_beyond_crabbed-and-obscure-definitions-are-of-n_1358193.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/frederick-pollock-29925_beyond_crabbed-and-obscure-definitions-are-of-n_1358193.jpg) > “Crabbed and obscure definitions are of no use beyond a narrow circle of students, of whom probably every one has a pet one of his own.” [Frederick Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-pollock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obscure, overly technical definitions serve only a tiny academic elite and become personal quirks. **In simple terms:** Complex jargon isolates and becomes a personal hobby. Key Takeaway Prioritize clear communication over exclusive terminology. Themes education communication elitism language Mood analytical critical Type educational reflective When to use this quote - teaching - research writing - student learning - professional conferences Key Concepts pedagogy semantic precision academic culture Questions to Reflect On - When is technical language justified? - How can you make expertise accessible? A Different Perspective Specialized language can be necessary in some fields. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beyond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beyond/) [Circle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circle/) [Circle Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circle-students-4640105/) [Crabbed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crabbed-288750/) [Crabbed Obscure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crabbed-obscure-4640104/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Every](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every/) [His](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his/) [Narrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrow/) [Obscure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscure/) [Obscure Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscure-definitions-4640106/) [Own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/own/) [Pet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pet/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Students Probably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students-probably-3446397/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Whom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whom/) ## Related quotes > [The vast majority of students probably emerge from college with an adequate grasp of no more than a single method of inquiry. 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