imagism

[im-uh-jiz-uh m]

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.

Origin of imagism

First recorded in 1910–15; image + -ism

Related formsim·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

Historical Examples of imagism

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

British Dictionary definitions for imagism

imagism

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 Formsimagist, 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

Word Origin and History for imagism

name of a movement in poetry that sought clarity of expression through use of precise visual images, "hard light, clear edges," coined 1912 by Ezra Pound; see image + -ism. Related: Imagist.