Poetic Terms Dictionary
Technique

Neologism

From Greek neos (new) + logos (word). Poets have always expanded vocabulary; Shakespeare added some 1,700 words to English. Neologism signals linguistic confidence and inventiveness.

Definition

A newly coined word or phrase, or a familiar word given a new meaning, for creative or expressive purposes.

Example

Milton coined 'pandemonium,' 'earthshaking,' 'lovelorn,' 'impassive'; Hopkins coined 'inscape' and 'instress.'

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