euphuism (redirected from euphuists)

eu·phu·ism  (yfy-zm)

n.

1. An affectedly elegant literary style of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, characterized by elaborate alliteration, antitheses, and similes.

2. Affected elegance of language.

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[After Euphues, a character in Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit and Euphues and his England by John Lyly, from Greek euphus, shapely : eu-, eu- + phuein, to grow, bring forth; see bheu- in Indo-European roots.]

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euphu·ist n.

euphu·istic, euphu·isti·cal adj.

euphu·isti·cal·ly adv.

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Euphuism

1. an elaborate prose style invented by John Lyly c. 1580, characterized by bountiful figures of speech, Latinisms, extended similes, frequent antitheses, and highly involved syntax.
2. any similar ornate style of writing or speaking. Cf. Gongorism. — euphuist, n. — euphuistic, adj.

See also: Literary Style

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	euphuism - any artificially elegant style of language expressive style, style - a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period; "all the reporters were expected to adopt the style of the newspaper" Gongorism - an affected elegance of style that was introduced into Spanish literature by the poet Gongora
	2.	euphuism - an elegant style of prose of the Elizabethan period; characterized by balance and antithesis and alliteration and extended similes with and allusions to nature and mythology prose - ordinary writing as distinguished from verse