| a simile developed over several lines of verse, esp. one used in an epic poem. |
| epic simile n. An extended simile elaborated in great detail. Also called Homeric simile. |
epic simile
an extended simile often running to several lines, used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject and to serve as decoration. An example from the Iliad follows: As when the shudder of the west wind suddenly rising scatters across the water, and the water darkens beneath it, so darkening were settled the ranks of Achaians and Trojans in the plain.
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