eclogue

[ek-lawg, -log]

noun

a pastoral poem, often in dialogue form.

Origin of eclogue

1400–50; late Middle English eclog < Latin ecloga < Greek eklogḗ selection, akin to eklégein to select; see ec-

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Examples from the Web for eclogue

Historical Examples of eclogue

The opening lines of the fifth Eclogue may serve as an example.
A History of Roman Literature
Harold North Fowler
It is by this art that Virgil frequently exalts the eclogue.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 10 (of 10)
Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
This and the first eclogue seem to have been written on the same occasion.
The Poetical Works of James Beattie
James Beattie
This is the Gallus in honour of whom Virgil composed his tenth eclogue.
The Lives Of The Twelve Caesars, Complete
C. Suetonius Tranquillus
In the third eclogue of Virgil we have two rivals and an umpire.
The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 1
Alexander Pope

British Dictionary definitions for eclogue

eclogue

noun

a pastoral or idyllic poem, usually in the form of a conversation or soliloquy

Word Origin for eclogue

C15: from Latin ecloga short poem, collection of extracts, from Greek eklogē selection, from eklegein to select; see eclectic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for eclogue

"short poem," especially a pastoral dialogue, mid-15c., from Latin ecloga "selection, short poem, eclogue," from Greek ekloge "selection," from eklegein "to select" (see eclectic).