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poetics

[poh-et-iks]
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noun (used with a singular verb)
  1. literary criticism treating of the nature and laws of poetry.
  2. the study of prosody.
  3. a treatise on poetry.
  4. (initial capital letter, italics) a treatise or collection of notes on aesthetics (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle.
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Origin of poetics

First recorded in 1720–30; see origin at poetic, -ics

poetic

[poh-et-ik]
adjective Also po·et·i·cal.
  1. possessing the qualities or charm of poetry: poetic descriptions of nature.
  2. of or relating to a poet or poets.
  3. characteristic of or befitting a poet: poetic feeling; poetic insight.
  4. endowed with the faculty or feeling of a poet: a poetic eulogist.
  5. having or showing the sensibility of a poet: a poetic lover.
  6. of or relating to poetry: poetic literature.
  7. of the nature of or resembling poetry: a poetic composition; poetic drama; poetic imagination.
  8. celebrated in poetry, as a place.
  9. providing a subject for poetry.
  10. of or relating to literature in verse form.
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noun
  1. poetics.
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Origin of poetic

1520–30; < Latin poēticus < Greek poiētikós. See poet, -ic
Related formspo·et·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·po·et·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·po·et·ic, adjectivepre·po·et·ic, adjectivepre·po·et·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·po·et·ic, adjectivepseu·do·po·et·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-po·et·ic, adjectivequa·si-po·et·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-po·et·i·cal·ly, adverbun·po·et·ic, adjectiveun·po·et·i·cal, adjectiveun·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for poetics

poetics

noun (usually functioning as singular)
  1. the principles and forms of poetry or the study of these, esp as a form of literary criticism
  2. a treatise on poetry
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poetic

poetical

adjective
  1. of or relating to poetry
  2. characteristic of poetry, as in being elevated, sublime, etc
  3. characteristic of a poet
  4. recounted in verse
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Derived Formspoetically, 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 poetics

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