ekphrasis

or ec·phra·sis

[ ek-fruh-sis ]

noun

, plural ek·phra·ses, ec·phra·ses [ek, -fr, uh, -seez]

1. a literary device consisting of a vivid, detailed description of a visual work of art:

   John Keats's "Ode on a Grecian Urn” is a classic example of ekphrasis.

Other Words From

• ek·phras·tic ec·phras·tic [ek-, fras, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ekphrasis¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Greek: “description,” from ekphrá(zein) “to describe” (from ek- ec- ( def ) + phrázein “to speak”) + -sis -sis ( def ); phrase ( def )