| prosopographia |
| pro-so-po-graph'-i-a | from
Gk. prosopon, "face" or "person," and graphein, "to write" |
| prosographia | |
| counterfeit countenance, description of persons | |
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The vivid description of someone's face or character. A kind of enargia. Also, the description of feigned or imaginary characters, such as devils or harpies. | |
| Examples | ||
| He is a monster both in mind and in body; whatever part of mind or body you consider, you will find a monster quivering head, rabid eyes, a dragon's gape, the visage of a Fury, distended belly, hands like talons ready to tear, feet distorted, in short, view his entire physical shape and what else does it all present but a monster? Observe that tongue, observe that wild beast's roar, and you will name it is a monstrosity; probe his mind, you will find a horror; weigh his character, scrutinize his life, you will find all monstrous...through and through he is nothing but a monster. —Erasmus, De copia | ||
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| Related Topics of Invention | ||
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| Sources: | Sherry (1550) 66; Peacham (1577) O2r | |
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