epic simile

epic simile
a simile developed over several lines of verse, esp. one used in an epic poem. Also called Homeric simile.
[1940-45]

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also called  Homeric simile 

      an extended simile often running to several lines, used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject and to serve as decoration. An example from the Iliad follows:

As when the shudder of the west wind suddenly rising scatters across the water,
and the water darkens beneath it, so darkening were settled the ranks of Achaians and Trojans in the plain.

      and

But swift Aias the son of Oïleus would not at all now take his stand apart from Telamonian Aias,
not even a little; but as two wine-coloured oxen straining
with even force drag the compacted plough through the fallow land,
and for both of them at the base of the horns the dense sweat gushes;
only the width of the polished yoke keeps a space between them
as they toil down the furrow till the share cuts the edge of the ploughland;
so these took their stand in battle, close to each other.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • epic simile — noun : an extended simile often running to several lines used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject (as by contrast) and to serve as decoration called also Homeric simile * * * a simile developed over several… …   Useful english dictionary

  • epic simile — noun Date: 1931 an extended simile that is used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • epic simile — ep′ic sim′ile n. pro a simile developed over several lines of verse …   From formal English to slang

  • simile — /sim euh lee/, n. 1. a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in she is like a rose. Cf. metaphor. 2. an instance of such a figure of speech or a use of words exemplifying it. [1350 1400; ME < L: image, likeness,… …   Universalium

  • simile — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. figure of speech, comparison. See figurative. II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. metaphor, analogy, likeness, epic simile, explicit comParison of dissimilars; see also comParison 2 , figure of speech . III… …   English dictionary for students

  • Homeric simile — Homeric simile, also called epic simile, is a detailed comparison in the form of a simile that is many lines in length. The word Homeric is based on the Greek author Homer, who composed the two famous Greek epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey . Many …   Wikipedia

  • Homeric simile. — See epic simile. * * * …   Universalium

  • homeric simile — noun Usage: usually capitalized H : epic simile …   Useful english dictionary

  • Homeric simile — noun see epic simile …   Useful english dictionary

  • Homeric simile. — See epic simile …   Useful english dictionary

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