word painting

American  

noun

1. an effective verbal description.

2. tone painting.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• word painter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of word painting

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

They assiduously avoid the “I” word, painting the committee’s work as garden-variety oversight.

From Washington Times • Sep. 18, 2019

In typical fashion, Handel uses word painting to reinforce the message, sending the vocal part through elaborate undulating runs on the word “changed.”

From New York Times • Dec. 17, 2015

Accredited institutions are invited, even encouraged, to borrow, say, a simple Christopher Wool word painting or a monumentally complex tapestry of woven metal bits by El Anatsui.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2015

With a fellow collector-investor, John Sayegh-Belchatowski, he paid $14.2 million in November for a similar Wool word painting, “Fool,” at Christie’s.

From New York Times • May 13, 2015

The range of tone in every voice should cover as many degrees of pitch as possible, as these are needed in word painting no less than in dramatic expression.

From Expressive Voice Culture, Including the Emerson System by Southwick, Jessie Eldridge