atticism

American  

[at-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈæt əˌsɪz əm /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. the style or idiom of Attic Greek occurring in another dialect or language.

2. attachment to Athens or to the style, customs, etc., of the Athenians.

3. concise and elegant expression, diction, or the like.

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Atticism British  

/ ˈætɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the idiom or character of the Attic dialect of Ancient Greek, esp in the Hellenistic period

2. an elegant, simple, and clear expression

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Other Word Forms

• Atticist noun
• atticist noun

Etymology

Origin of atticism

First recorded in 1605–15, atticism is from the Greek word Attikismós a siding with Athens, an Attic expression. See Attic, -ism

Example Sentences

Spell "calvinistic, atticism, gothicism, epicurism, jesuitism, sabianism, socinianism, anglican, anglicism, anglicize, vandalism, gallicism, romanize."

From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold

These censures can never be just upon a poet, whose style has always been allowed to be perfectly attick, and of an atticism which made him extremely delightful to the lovers of the Athenian taste.

From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 Miscellaneous Pieces by Johnson, Samuel

"It is certain," said Phellion, "that the leading article seems to me to be stamped with vigor joined to an atticism which we may seek in vain in the columns of the other public prints."

From The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Balzac, Honoré de

Related Words

• grandeur