picturesque

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We might accomplish the benevolence, but it would be of a more public character: the picturesque is a thing of which we hardly know the meaning; and as for the originality, the dread of doing anything different from his neighbour would effectually prevent an American from erecting such a shelter; even charity with us being subject to the control of the general voice.

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Definitions (8)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. adjective Of, suggesting, or suitable for a picture: picturesque rocky shores.
  2. adjective Striking or interesting in an unusual way; irregularly or quaintly attractive: a picturesque French café.
  3. adjective Strikingly expressive or vivid: picturesque language.

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Examples (50)

  • To the eye of the traveller with a mind for the picturesque, there were parts of this central region of France whose smiling undulations, delicious water-scenes, deep glens extending into amphitheatres, and slopes hung with woods of chestnut, all seemed to make a lovelier picture than the cheerful beauty of prosperous Normandy, or the olive-groves and orange-gardens of Provence. —  Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 2 of 3) Turgot
  • It was not difficult to discover from the conversation of this singular man, whose subtle and secretive instincts were contradicted, at times, by a strange inconsequent frankness, that his genuine feeling for the picturesque was accompanied by an equally strong predilection for the appurtenances of wealth and splendour; his love of great names and estates being almost of the calibre of the housemaid's passion for lofty personages in her penny periodical. —  The Daughters of Danaus
  • All of these early volumes showed a quick eye for the picturesque, an unusual power of description, and humor of the most delicate quality; but as yet there was little approach to narrative. —  Brief History of English and American Literature
  • I want him to be picturesque--there's no use being in Italy if you can't have things picturesque, is there, Gustavo Si_, signorina," he bowed and resumed his attitude of strained attention He must have curly hair and black eyes and white teeth and a nice smile; I should like him to wear a red sash and earrings. —  Jerry Junior
  • I want him to be picturesque--there's no use being in Italy if you can't have things picturesque, is there, Gustavo Si_, signorina,' he bowed and resumed his attitude of strained attention He must have curly hair and black eyes and white teeth and a nice smile; I should like him to wear a red sash and earrings. —  Jerry
 

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Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Alteration of French pittoresque, from Italian pittoresco, from pittore, painter, from Latin pictor; see Pictor.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. = French pittoresque, from It.pittoresco (= Sp.pintoresco = Portuguese pittoresco, pinturesco), from pittura, a picture, painting: see picture.
 

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/pɪktʃəˈrɛsk/
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