euphuism
Americannoun
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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.
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any similar ornate style of writing or speaking; high-flown, periphrastic language.
noun
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an artificial prose style of the Elizabethan period, marked by extreme use of antithesis, alliteration, and extended similes and allusions
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any stylish affectation in speech or writing, esp a rhetorical device or expression
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of euphuism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
This brief survey of the framework of euphuism is far from being an exhaustive analysis.
From John Lyly by John Dover Wilson
With euphuism, antithesis and the use of balanced sentences came to stay.
From John Lyly by John Dover Wilson
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 John Dover Wilson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
