[yoo-fyoo-iz-uh
m] 
| 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. |
| eu·phu·ism (yōō'fyōō-ĭz'əm) n.
[After Euphues, a character in Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit and Euphues and his England by John Lyly, from Greek euphuēs, shapely : eu-, eu- + phuein, to grow, bring forth; see bheuə- in Indo-European roots.] eu'phu·ist n., eu'phu·is'tic, eu'phu·is'ti·cal adj., eu'phu·is'ti·cal·ly adv. |