Grecism

American  

[gree-siz-uhm] / ˈgri sɪz əm /

especially British, Graecism

noun

1. the spirit of Greek thought, art, etc.

2. adoption or imitation of this.

3. an idiom or peculiarity of Greek.

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Grecism British  

/ ˈɡriːˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a variant spelling (esp US) of Graecism

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Etymology

Origin of Grecism

1560–70; < Medieval Latin Graecismus, equivalent to Latin Graec ( us ) Greek + -ismus -ism

Example Sentences

There is a whole school of limp Grecism in England, which has grown up out of Keats's Grecian Urn, and which is now buttressed with philosophy and adorned with scholarship; and no doubt it does bear some sort of relation to Greece and to Greek life.

From Project Gutenberg

But this Anglican Grecism has the quality which all modern British art exhibits,—the very quality which the Greeks could not abide,—it is tinged with excess.

From Project Gutenberg

Homer is not dyed in Grecism as Pindar is.

From Project Gutenberg

An application of this word may be quoted, partaking of a Grecism, unless we mistake: "And whan the people felte the smell therof."

From Project Gutenberg

Here not to refuse = to accept; and is probably a Grecism.

From Project Gutenberg