Definition

Proper noun: * Samuel Dashiell Hammett: An American author, widely regarded as a founder of the "hard-boiled" school of detective fiction. He is known for his realistic, unsentimental, and gritty crime stories.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Samuel Dashiell Hammett worked as a detective for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency before becoming a writer.
  • The novels of Samuel Dashiell Hammett heavily influenced the film noir genre.
  • Many consider Samuel Dashiell Hammett to be one of the greatest crime writers of the 20th century.

Advanced Usage

• The name is often shortened to Dashiell Hammett in common literary reference.
  • Dashiell Hammett created the iconic detective Sam Spade.
• The adjective Hammett-esque is sometimes used to describe detective fiction or film that features the cynical, realistic style characteristic of his work.
  • The movie had a very Hammett-esque atmosphere of moral ambiguity.

Variants and Related Words

• Hammett (n): A common shortened reference to the author.
  • Hammett's prose is noted for its lean, economical style.
• Dashiell (n): The author's middle name, often used alone to refer to him, especially in literary contexts.

Synonyms

• Author of hard-boiled fiction
• Crime novelist
• Detective fiction writer

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The Hammett tradition: Refers to the style and themes established by Hammett's writing, emphasizing realism, violence, and a cynical view of society.
  • This modern crime novel is clearly written in the Hammett tradition.

Noun

1. United States writer of hard-boiled detective fiction (1894-1961)