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Examples

  • In order to make him a true classic, it was necessary to attribute to him later a design, a plan, literary invention, qualities of atticism and urbanity of which he had certainly never dreamed in the luxuriant development of his natural inspirations.

    What Is a Classic 1909

  • This last has especially charmed me; it is remarkable for grace, delicacy, atticism, and precision.

    Amiel's Journal Henri Fr��d��ric Amiel 1885

  • It is clear that aesthetic delicacy, elegance, distinction, and nobleness -- that atticism, urbanity, whatever is suave and exquisite, fine and subtle -- all that makes the charm of the higher kinds of literature and of aristocratic cultivation -- vanishes simultaneously with the society which corresponds to it.

    Amiel's Journal Henri Fr��d��ric Amiel 1885

  • "It is certain," said Phellion, "that the leading article seems to me to be stamped with vigor joined to an atticism which we may seek in vain in the columns of the other public prints."

    The Lesser Bourgeoisie Honor�� de Balzac 1824

  • These censures can never be just upon a poet, whose style has always been allowed to be perfectly attick, and of an atticism which made him extremely delightful to the lovers of the Athenian taste.

    The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 Miscellaneous Pieces Samuel Johnson 1746

  • Instead of commending him for being able to give merriment to the most refined nation of those days, we shall proceed to place that people, with all their atticism, in the rank of savages, whom we take upon us to degrade, because they have no other qualifications but innocence, and plain understanding.

    The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 Miscellaneous Pieces Samuel Johnson 1746

  • In order to make him a true classic, it was necessary to attribute to him later a design, a plan, literary invention, qualities of atticism and urbanity of which he had certainly never dreamed in the luxuriant development of his natural inspirations.

    Literary and Philosophical Essays: French, German and Italian Various 1562

  • He possesses an atticism of diction aided by a liberal education, a great fund of wit and humor meliorated by a perfect good nature and politeness. "

    Pioneers of the Old Southwest: a chronicle of the dark and bloody ground Constance Lindsay Skinner 1908

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  • - the style or idiom of Attic Greek occurring in another dialect or language.

    - attachment to Athens or to the style, customs, etc., of the Athenians.

    - concise and elegant expression, diction, or the like.

    - An expression characterized by conciseness and elegance.

    Origin:

    1605–15; < Gk Attikismós a siding with Athens, an Attic expression.

    Dictionary.com. Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/atticism (accessed: January 02, 2009).

    January 3, 2009