imagism

[ im-uh-jiz-uh m ]

/ ˈɪm əˌdʒɪz əm /

noun Literature.

(often initial capital letter) a theory or practice of a group of poets in England and America between 1909 and 1917 who believed that poetry should employ the language of common speech, create new rhythms, have complete freedom in subject matter, and present a clear, concentrated, and precise image.

a style of poetry that employs free verse and the patterns and rhythms of common speech.

Nearby words

imaginative, imagine, imagineer, imagineering, imaging, imagism, imagists, imago, imam, imamate, imambarah

Origin of imagism

First recorded in 1910–15; image + -ism

Related forms

im·ag·ist, noun, adjectiveim·ag·is·tic, adjectiveim·ag·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for imagism

And it is an illuminating fact that among poets and men conversant with many poetic idioms, Imagism is rarely misconceived.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington
Imagism asks to be judged by different standards from those employed in Nineteenth-Century art.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington
In the first place “Imagism” does not mean merely the presentation of pictures.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington
“Imagism” refers to the manner of presentation, not to the subject.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington

But there is good verbalism, distinct from lyricism or imagism, and in this Laforgue is a master.
Instigations|Ezra Pound

British Dictionary definitions for imagism

imagism

/ (ˈɪmɪˌdʒɪzəm) /

noun

a poetic movement in England and America between 1912 and 1917, initiated chiefly by Ezra Pound, advocating the use of ordinary speech and the precise presentation of images

Derived Forms

imagist, noun, adjectiveimagistic, adjectiveimagistically, adverb

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