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

"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

Above all, none of the grandiosity and architectural euphuism of the American "signature" museum.

From Time Magazine Archive

Its name is quaint, for so was its discoverer, Luke Fox, a worthy man, addicted much to euphuism.

From The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 3, June, 1851 by Various

The novel of Sidney, though its loose and meandering style marked a reaction against euphuism, carried on the Lylian tradition in its appeal to ladies.

From John Lyly by Wilson, John Dover

Her attitude was a credit to the extremes of euphuism.

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