Definition

Proper noun: * Walt Whitman: An American poet, essayist, and journalist, widely considered one of the most influential figures in American literature. He is best known for his groundbreaking collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass, which celebrated democracy, nature, love, and friendship with a free-verse style that broke from traditional poetic forms.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • In American literature class, we studied the works of Walt Whitman.
  • The free verse style of Walt Whitman revolutionized modern poetry.
  • A biography of Walt Whitman details his life during the American Civil War.

Advanced Usage

• "Whitmanesque" (adj): Having qualities characteristic of Walt Whitman or his work, such as a celebration of the self, a focus on nature and the common man, or the use of expansive, free-verse style.
  • The poet's long, cataloging lines and democratic themes were distinctly Whitmanesque.

Variants and Related Words

• Whitman (n): A common shorthand reference for Walt Whitman.
  • Scholars often debate the transcendentalist influences on Whitman.

Synonyms

• The Bard of Democracy: A poetic epithet for Walt Whitman, highlighting his focus on democratic ideals.
• The Poet of the Body and the Soul: A descriptive phrase referencing Whitman's holistic celebration of human experience.

Related Phrases

• "I celebrate myself, and sing myself": The famous opening line of Whitman's "Song of Myself," often used to represent his poetic voice.
  • The line "I celebrate myself, and sing myself" encapsulates Whitman's transcendentalist individualism.
• "Leaves of Grass": The title of Whitman's lifelong, ever-expanding poetic work.
  • He first published "Leaves of Grass" at his own expense in 1855.

Noun

1. United States poet who celebrated the greatness of America (1819-1892)