poetic
[poh-et-ik]
- possessing the qualities or charm of poetry: poetic descriptions of nature.
- of or relating to a poet or poets.
- characteristic of or befitting a poet: poetic feeling; poetic insight.
- endowed with the faculty or feeling of a poet: a poetic eulogist.
- having or showing the sensibility of a poet: a poetic lover.
- of or relating to poetry: poetic literature.
- of the nature of or resembling poetry: a poetic composition; poetic drama; poetic imagination.
- celebrated in poetry, as a place.
- providing a subject for poetry.
- of or relating to literature in verse form.
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Origin of poetic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for poetical
Contemporary Examples
The paper was written on the topic, "Milton's Poetical Achievement."
Classical allusions, poetical turns of phrase, antique diction, recondite words.
No beauties, poetical or musical, have been passed down to us from any actual man called Orpheus.
His words were purposeful, almost business-like, with the tautest of poetical flourishes.
Historical Examples
His justice is all poetical justice, exactly what justice should be.
De ProfundisOscar Wilde
When I say for ever, I mean (though I am not poetical) through all our time.'
Little DorritCharles Dickens
But this, like many other literary associations, is a piece of poetical injustice.
Alarms and DiscursionsG. K. Chesterton
Your experience of the everyday language of the common people may be that it is not poetical.
A Dish Of OrtsGeorge MacDonald
That glow of enthusiasm for labor was chiefly moral, but it was poetical as well.
The American MindBliss Perry
poetic
poetical
- of or relating to poetry
- characteristic of poetry, as in being elevated, sublime, etc
- characteristic of a poet
- recounted in verse
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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 poetical
poetic
adj.
1520s, from poet + -ic, or else from or influenced by Middle French poetique (c.1400), from Latin poeticus, from Greek poietikos "pertaining to poetry," literally "creative, productive," from poietos "made," verbal adjective of poiein "to make" (see poet). Related: Poetics (1727). Poetic justice "ideal justice as portrayed in plays and stories" is from 1670s. Poetic license attested by 1733.
Earlier adjective was poetical (late 14c.); also obsolete poetly (mid-15c.). Related: Poetically (early 15c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper