Lyricism
/ˈlɪr.ɪˌsɪz.əm/noun
The quality of being lyrical, especially in poetry or music.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from the Greek lyre, an instrument linked to Apollo, so its oldest roots are literally about poetry as music and ritual performance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leig-
“to bind, tie together”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λυρικός (lyrikós)
“of the lyre; suited to singing with the lyre”
Latin
Latin
lyricus
“lyric, of a lyre or lyric poetry”
Late Middle English
English
lyric
“a poem meant to be sung to the lyre; later, a short expressive poem”
19th Century
English
lyricism
“the quality of being lyrical; poetic expressiveness”