Definition

Proper noun: * Gertrude Stein: An experimental, expatriate American writer who lived from 1874 to 1946. She is known for her innovative literary style and her influential Paris salon, which was a central meeting place for modernist artists and writers in the early 20th century.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The writings of Gertrude Stein challenged conventional narrative and syntax.
  • Many famous artists, like Picasso and Hemingway, were part of Gertrude Stein's circle in Paris.
  • A famous line by Gertrude Stein is, "A rose is a rose is a rose."

Advanced Usage

• "A Gertrude Stein" (informal/metaphorical): Used to refer to someone or something that embodies experimental, repetitive, or circular language, often in a complex or puzzling way.
  • His explanation was a real Gertrude Stein—I heard the words but couldn't grasp the meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Steinian (adjective): Characteristic of or resembling the style of Gertrude Stein.
  • The poet's use of repetitive phrases has a distinctly Steinian quality.

Synonyms

• Modernist writer
• Literary innovator
• Expatriate author

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "A rose is a rose is a rose.": A phrase coined by Gertrude Stein, often used to express the idea that a thing is what it is, emphasizing its essence through repetition. It can also be cited as an example of her literary style.
  • When asked to define art, she simply shrugged and said, "Well, a rose is a rose is a rose."

Noun

1. experimental expatriate United States writer (1874-1946)