Ciceronianism
- noun
- /ˌsɪsəˈroʊniˌɪzəm/
- Literature
- During the Renaissance, Ciceronianism became the ideal for many humanist writers seeking eloquence.
Examples
-
The scholar's essays were marked by a pronounced Ciceronianism that echoed the rhetoric of ancient Rome.
-
Some critics argue that excessive Ciceronianism can lead to artificial and overly ornate prose.
-
Many scholars admire Ciceronianism for its eloquence.
-
The use of Ciceronianism can elevate a speech.
-
During the Renaissance, Ciceronianism became the standard for humanist writers aiming for eloquent expression.
-
Some critics believe that too much Ciceronianism results in writing that is unnecessarily complicated.
-
The professor's lectures displayed a clear Ciceronianism reminiscent of Cicero's persuasive techniques.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Ciceronianism = Ciceronian (transparent) = Cicero + ian + ism
Standard noun formation from the adjective 'Ciceronian' using '-ism' to denote a doctrine, movement, or adherence.
Etymology
Ciceronianism comes from the name Cicero, a famous Roman speaker, with -ian meaning 'related to' and -ism meaning 'a practice or style'. It describes copying Cicero's formal, powerful way of speaking or writing, so to call something Ciceronian is to say it follows his classic rhetorical style.
