imagism

/'imidʤizm/

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Imagism (noun)

Definition: Imagism is a movement in poetry that started in the early 20th century among American and English poets. It was a reaction against the emotional and elaborate style of Victorian poetry. Instead of using flowery language, imagist poets focused on using clear, simple language and strong images to convey their thoughts and feelings. They often wrote in free verse, which means their poems didn't have to follow traditional patterns of rhyme or rhythm.

Usage Instructions: You can use "imagism" when discussing poetry or literary movements. It’s often used in academic contexts or when analyzing poetry.

Example Sentence: "Ezra Pound was one of the leading figures of the Imagism movement, known for his precise language and vivid imagery."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might explore how imagism influenced later movements in poetry, such as modernism, or how it reflects broader cultural changes in the early 20th century.

Word Variants:

• Imagist (noun): A poet who is part of the imagism movement.
• Imagistic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of imagism.

Different Meaning:

While "imagism" primarily refers to the poetic movement, it can also denote a focus on imagery in any form of art or literature. However, this usage is less common.

Synonyms:

• Concrete poetry: Refers to poetry that emphasizes visual arrangements and clear images.
• Minimalism: In some contexts, this can relate to the simplicity and directness found in imagist poetry.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "imagism," you might encounter phrases like "paint a picture" in conversations about imagery in poetry. This means to create a vivid image through words.

Academic

Noun

1. a movement by American and English poets early in the 20th century in reaction to Victorian sentimentality; used common speech in free verse with clear concrete imagery