conversation piece

conversation piece
1. any object that arouses comment because of some striking or unusual quality.
2. group portraiture representing more or less fashionable people either in an interior or landscape setting.
3. a play that relies for its effect mainly on the cleverness of its dialogue rather than on plot or action.
[1775-85]

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      a piece of writing (such as a play) that depends for its effect chiefly upon the wit or excellent quality of its dialogue. The term is also used to describe a poem that has a light, informal tone despite its serious subject. Examples include Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Coleridge, Samuel Taylor)'s “The Nightingale,” William Wordsworth (Wordsworth, William)'s “Tintern Abbey,” and W.H. Auden (Auden, W H)'s “September 1, 1939.”

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • conversation piece — n. 1. a type of genre painting, popular in the 18th cent., which shows a group of people in an appropriate setting 2. something, as an unusual article of furniture, that attracts attention or invites comment …   English World dictionary

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  • conversation piece — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms conversation piece : singular conversation piece plural conversation pieces an interesting or unusual object that attracts attention and makes people start talking about it …   English dictionary

  • Conversation Piece — Infobox Song Name =Conversation Piece Border = Caption = Type =B side of The Prettiest Star Artist =David Bowie alt Artist = Album = Published = Released =6 March 1970 Recorded = Genre = Length =3:05 Writer =David Bowie Label =Mercury Producer… …   Wikipedia

  • conversation piece — {n.} Something that interests people and makes them talk about it; something that looks unusual, comical, or strange. * /Uncle Fred has a glass monkey on top of his piano that he keeps for a conversation piece./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • conversation piece — {n.} Something that interests people and makes them talk about it; something that looks unusual, comical, or strange. * /Uncle Fred has a glass monkey on top of his piano that he keeps for a conversation piece./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • conversation\ piece — noun Something that interests people and makes them talk about it; something that looks unusual, comical, or strange. Uncle Fred has a glass monkey on top of his piano that he keeps for a conversation piece …   Словарь американских идиом

  • Conversation Piece (musical) — Conversation Piece Noël Coward, Louis Hayward and Yvonne Printemps Music Noël Coward Lyrics Noël Coward Productions …   Wikipedia

  • Conversation Piece (disambiguation) — Conversation Piece may refer to: conversation piece, an informal group portrait in painting Conversation Piece (musical) by Noel Coward (1934) Conversation Piece (song), by David Bowie (1970) Conversation Piece (film), 1974 Italian film This… …   Wikipedia

  • Conversation Piece (song) — Conversation Piece B side of The Prettiest Star by David Bowie Released 6 March 1970 Length 3:05 Label Mercury Writer …   Wikipedia

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