Virgilian

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the ancient Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro or to his writings ; resembling or characteristic of the polished, pastoral and epic style of his verse
2. Pertaining to the Latin poet Virgil and the works attributed to him ; having the graceful, elevated manner associated with his poetry
3. Connected with the author of the Aeneid and the Eclogues ; showing the lyrical, classical qualities found in his poems

Etymology: Virgil, the Roman poet who wrote the "Aeneid" in the decades before the turn of the era, gave his name to an adjective that English borrowed through Latin. The Latin "Virgiliānus" was formed by adding the suffix "-ānus" to the poet's name "Virgilius," and English later reshaped it as "Virgil" plus "-ian," the same ending found in words like "Ciceronian" and "Shakespearean." The word therefore carries the poet's name almost intact, with its meaning fixed by use: something written in Virgil's manner, with his polished hexameters, pastoral calm, and grave dignity. The OED's entry records both adjective and noun uses, so readers encountering it may see it describing a passage, a translation, or a literary scholar.