euphuism

[ yoo-fyoo-iz-uh m ]
/ ˈyu fyuˌɪz əm /

noun

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

Origin of euphuism

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

euphemism euphuism

Example sentences from the Web for euphuism

British Dictionary definitions for euphuism

euphuism
/ (ˈjuːfjuːˌɪzəm) /

noun

an artificial prose style of the Elizabethan period, marked by extreme use of antithesis, alliteration, and extended similes and allusions
any stylish affectation in speech or writing, esp a rhetorical device or expression

Derived forms of euphuism

euphuist, noun euphuistic or euphuistical, adjective euphuistically, adverb

Word Origin for euphuism

C16: after Euphues, prose romance by John Lyly