atticisms
|at-ti-cisms|
/ˈætɪsɪzəmz/
(atticism)
concise, classical elegance
Etymology
'atticism' originates from the Greek adjective 'Attikos' (via Latin 'Atticus'), where 'Attikos' meant 'of Attica' (the region of Athens); the English suffix '-ism' comes from Greek '-ismos' via Latin/French indicating a practice, style, or movement.
'atticism' entered English from French 'atticisme' (used in the 17th century to describe a refined classical style) and from Latin 'Atticus', itself from Greek 'Attikos'; over time the form stabilized in English as 'atticism' and the plural as 'atticisms'.
Initially it meant 'manner or style associated with Attic (Athenian) Greek', but over time it broadened to mean 'a concise, elegant style of speech or writing' and also 'an instance or expression of that style'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'atticism': instances or examples of a concise, elegant style of speaking or writing (often associated with classical Attic taste).
Critics often pointed out the atticisms in her essays.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
plural form referring to words, phrases, or idioms characteristic of Attic Greek or modeled on that classical style.
The translator noted several atticisms in the source text that were hard to render in modern English.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/16 00:42