euphuism
euphuism
yo͞o´fyo͞oĭzəm [key], in English literature, a highly elaborate and artificial style that derived from theEuphues(1578) of JohnLylyand that flourished in England in the 1580s. It was characterized by extensive use of simile and illustration, balanced construction, alliteration, and antithesis. Euphuism played an important role in English literary history by demonstrating the capabilities of English prose. The term has come to mean an artificial, precious, high-flown style of writing.
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