euphuism

[ yoo-fyoo-iz-uhm ]
See synonyms for: euphuismeuphuistic on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. an affected style in imitation of that of Lyly, fashionable in England about the end of the 16th century, characterized chiefly by long series of antitheses and frequent similes relating to mythological natural history, and alliteration.: Compare Euphues.

  2. any similar ornate style of writing or speaking; high-flown, periphrastic language.

Origin of euphuism

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; Euphu(es) + -ism

Other words from euphuism

  • eu·phu·ist, noun
  • eu·phu·is·tic, eu·phu·is·ti·cal, adjective
  • eu·phu·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with euphuism

Words Nearby euphuism

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How to use euphuism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for euphuism

euphuism

/ (ˈjuːfjuːˌɪzəm) /


noun
  1. an artificial prose style of the Elizabethan period, marked by extreme use of antithesis, alliteration, and extended similes and allusions

  2. any stylish affectation in speech or writing, esp a rhetorical device or expression

Origin of euphuism

1
C16: after Euphues, prose romance by John Lyly

Derived forms of euphuism

  • euphuist, noun
  • euphuistic or euphuistical, adjective
  • euphuistically, adverb

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