euphuism

American  

[yoo-fyoo-iz-uhm] / ˈyu fyuˌɪz əm /

noun

1. an affected style in imitation of that of Lyly, fashionable in England about the end of the 16th century, characterized chiefly by long series of antitheses and frequent similes relating to mythological natural history, and alliteration.

2. any similar ornate style of writing or speaking; high-flown, periphrastic language.

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euphuism British  

/ ˈjuːfjuːˌɪzəm /

noun

1. an artificial prose style of the Elizabethan period, marked by extreme use of antithesis, alliteration, and extended similes and allusions

2. any stylish affectation in speech or writing, esp a rhetorical device or expression

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Other Word Forms

• euphuist noun
• euphuistic adjective
• euphuistical adjective
• euphuistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of euphuism

First recorded in 1590–1600; Euphu(es) + -ism

Example Sentences

Above all, none of the grandiosity and architectural euphuism of the American "signature" museum.

From Time Magazine Archive

"We're losing the war," he insists, adding with a flourish of Romneyesque euphuism: "The Viet Nam tail is wagging our global dog."

From Time Magazine Archive

Landmann ascribes euphuism to Spain, Symonds ascribes it to Italy, and an equally good case might be made out in favour of France.

From John Lyly by Wilson, John Dover

Sir Charles Eastlake, in whose election to the Presidency the Queen and Prince had been much interested, had not brought oratorical euphuism to the same perfection as his successor, Lord Leighton.

From Social Transformations of the Victorian Age A Survey of Court and Country by Escott, T. H. S. (Thomas Hay Sweet)

He continued therefore in this vein, writing with extreme facility and rapidity improbable love stories, with wars, kings, and princesses, with euphuism and mythology, with Danish, Greek, Egyptian and Bohemian adventures.

From The English Novel in the Time of Shakespeare by Jusserand, J. J.