ciceronianism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / C2Formal, Literary, Academic (History, Classics, Rhetoric)
Quick answer
What does “ciceronianism” mean?
A style of oratory or writing that is modelled on, or imitative of, the works of the Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of oratory or writing that is modelled on, or imitative of, the works of the Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE); characterized by elaborate periodic structure, rich vocabulary, and rhetorical elegance.
By extension, excessive or slavish adherence to Ciceronian style, often considered artificial or overly ornate. It can also refer to a scholarly devotion to studying Cicero's works and philosophy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the pejorative sense of 'excessive imitation' is slightly more common in modern critical discourse than the purely descriptive sense.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. It may appear slightly more often in British academic writing due to the historical prominence of classical studies in certain curricula, but this is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “ciceronianism” in a Sentence
[Subject] + [verb: practised, advocated, rejected, exemplifies] + Ciceronianism.Ciceronianism + [verb: prevailed, flourished, declined] + [adverbial of time/place].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ciceronianism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The humanist sought to ciceronianise his Latin prose.
- They were accused of ciceronianising at the expense of original thought.
American English
- The scholar aimed to Ciceronianize his writing style.
- The movement encouraged Ciceronianizing Renaissance rhetoric.
adverb
British English
- He wrote Ciceronianly, with careful attention to clausal rhythm.
- The passage was constructed most Ciceronianly.
American English
- The orator spoke Ciceronianly, using complex periodic sentences.
- The prose was Ciceronianly ornate.
adjective
British English
- His Ciceronian periods were admired for their balance.
- A markedly Ciceronian flavour characterised the treatise.
American English
- Her Ciceronian eloquence won the debate.
- The essay's Ciceronian structure made it complex but impressive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, and rhetorical studies to describe stylistic movements, particularly in the Renaissance.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A technical term within the history of rhetoric and classical reception studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ciceronianism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ciceronianism”
- Misspelling: 'Ciceroneanism', 'Ciceronism'. Incorrect pronunciation: placing primary stress on first syllable.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'good public speaking' instead of its specific historical/stylistic sense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be either. Historically, it praised eloquence modelled on Cicero. In modern criticism, it often implies a negative, overly imitative and artificial style.
Primarily in Classics, History of Rhetoric, Renaissance Studies, and Literary History.
Atticism, which advocated for the concise, plain, and pointed style modelled on Athenian writers like Lysias.
Rarely. It primarily denotes stylistic imitation. His philosophical views are usually referred to specifically (e.g., Ciceronian ethics, skepticism).
A style of oratory or writing that is modelled on, or imitative of, the works of the Roman statesman and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE).
Ciceronianism is usually formal, literary, academic (history, classics, rhetoric) in register.
Ciceronianism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪs.ərˈəʊ.ni.ə.nɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪs.əˈroʊ.ni.əˌnɪz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cicero + ian + ism' → The 'ism' (practice/style) of being like Cicero-ian.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS ARCHITECTURE (elaborate, constructed, ornate). IMITATION IS SLAVERY (slavish Ciceronianism).
Practice
Quiz
In a pejorative sense, 'Ciceronianism' is most closely associated with which of the following?