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

Her attitude was a credit to the extremes of euphuism.

From Mistress Nell A Merry Tale of a Merry Time by Hazelton, George C.

In both answers I think there is truth; and I hope to show that they give us, when combined, a fairly adequate explanation of the vogue of euphuism in our country.

From John Lyly by Wilson, John Dover

In the first place it appears that the part played by Berners in the history of euphuism has been considerably under-estimated.

From John Lyly by Wilson, John Dover