pointillistic

[pwan-tl-is-tik, -tee-is-, poin-tl-is-]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of pointillism or pointillists.

2. made up of or using minute details; particularized; itemized.

   a pointillistic style of acting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointillistic¹

1920–25; < French pointilliste ( pointillism, -ist ) + -ic

Example Sentences

There’s pointillistic syncopation from marimba, glockenspiel and pizzicato strings, with a backdrop of sustained chords: the ticktock of everyday minutiae held together by the promise of constancy.

Read more on New York Times

But the pointillistic armchair analysis of that brief event — a surprise outing outside Windsor Castle last Saturday featuring Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, and Prince William and his wife — has gone on ever since.

Read more on New York Times

Late in her career, Ms. Bartlett painted scenes from her garden, views from the hospital where she was recuperating in Manhattan and a pointillistic image of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Read more on Washington Post

Depending on the conditions, there’s the opportunity to see brilliantly colored stars, pointillistic star clusters, diaphanous nebulae and other galaxies.

Read more on Washington Post

Perhaps recalling Seurat’s pointillistic technique, he writes in a preface to “Flying Over Sunset” that his script “connects the dots” of known history.

Read more on New York Times