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Glite Dictionary
nonpictorial

nonpictorial

7.2
Not using pictures or images
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈpɪkʧəriəl/
translation icon : no pictórico
  • In contemporary art, some pieces are intentionally nonpictorial, focusing on form and color rather than literal images.

Examples

  • Newman's radically nonpictorial work asserts its place as painting, but disclaims autonomy; it cannot be seen apart from the wall on which it hangs.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Wheeler's gift to O'Sullivan of a valuable atlas of survey maps tends to confirm the photographer's interest in the nonpictorial productions of his colleagues.

    Academic text (2003)

  • In more radical terms, what is unrepresentable can never be adequately put in an image because it is nonpictorial, unimaginable, forbidden, or transcendental.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The author's latest book explores ideas that are nonpictorial, emphasizing concepts rather than visual representations.

  • When discussing philosophy, many topics are nonpictorial and require abstract thinking instead of visual aids.

Synonyms

nongraphic
vsnonpictorial
  • US
6.3

Not using pictures or images

is the more formal term for the same idea
undepicted
vsnonpictorial
8.4

Not shown in a picture or painting

describes a general state of not involving pictures or relating to images

Antonyms

pictorial
4 4.9

That is shown with pictures like photos and drawings

Surface Forms

nonpictorial positive

Morphology

nonpictorial = pictorial (transparent) = non + picture + ial

Formed by productive prefix 'non-' added to the adjective 'pictorial' (picture + -ial), giving a straightforward negative meaning.

Etymology

The word nonpictorial starts with non- meaning 'not' and contains pict, which is like the common word 'picture', so nonpictorial means 'not using images'.