Grecism

G2R1E1C3I1S1M3
/ˈɡɹiːsɪzəm/

noun

A word or idiom of the Greek language used in another language, especially for literary effect.

OriginMiddle French grecisme ← Medieval Latin graecismus ← Classical Latin graecus →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounGrecism (countable and uncountable, plural Grecisms)

plural Grecisms · alternative Graecism · alternative Græcism

  1. countablerhetoricuncountableliteratureA word or idiom of the Greek language used in another language, especially for literary effect.
  2. countableuncountableThe style, spirit or other characteristics of Greek arts and culture, or an imitation of that style.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
grecianismgreekism

Origin

  1. Classical Latingraecus
  2. Medieval Latingraecismus
  3. Middle Frenchgrecisme
  4. EnglishGrecism

From Middle French grecisme (modern French grécisme), from Medieval Latin graecismus, from Classical Latin graecus + -ismus. Compare Middle English Gryscysme (“Graecismus by Eberhard of Béthune”). Doublet of graecismus.

More words from Middle French, Medieval Latin, Classical Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech grécismus
  • grécismusword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
French hellénisme
  • hellénismeword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
German Gräzismus
  • Gräzismusword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
Polish grecyzm
  • grecyzmword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
Portuguese grecismo, helenismo
  • grecismoword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
  • helenismoword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
Spanish grecismo
  • grecismoword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
Swedish grecism
  • grecismword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
Welsh Groegeb, Groegair
  • Groegebword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
  • Groegairword or idiom of the Greek language used in another language
Cite this entry
APA

Grecism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Grecism

MLA

“Grecism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Grecism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Grecism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Grecism.

Source: Grecism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.