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Webster 1913 Edition

Simile

Sim′i-le

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Similes
(#)
.
[L., from
similis
. See
Similar
.]
(Rhet.)
A word or phrase by which anything is likened, in one or more of its aspects, to something else; a similitude; a poetical or imaginative comparison.
A good swift
simile
, but something currish.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Simile

SIMILE

,
Noun.
sim'ily. [L.] In rhetoric, similitude; a comparison of two thing which, however different in other respects, have some strong point or points of resemblance; by which comparison, the character or qualities of a thing are illustrated or presented in an impressive light. Thus, the eloquence of Demosthenes was like a rapid torrent; that of Cicero, like a large stream that glides smoothly along with majestic tranquility.

Definition 2024

simile

simile

See also: símile

English

Noun

simile ‎(plural similes or similia)

  1. A figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another, in the case of English generally using like or as.
    A simile is a bit like a metaphor.
    • 1925, Fruit of the Flower, by Countee Cullen
      My father is a quiet man -- With sober, steady ways; -- For simile, a folded fan; -- His nights are like his days.

Hypernyms

Related terms

Translations

See also

  • simile on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
  • metaphor
  • Category:English similes
  • Appendix:English similes - an appendix containing many similes

Anagrams

Esperanto

Adverb

simile

  1. similarly

Italian

Etymology

From Latin similis.

Adjective

simile m, f ‎(masculine and feminine plural simili)

  1. similar
    • Non è molto simile. It is not very similar.
  2. such
    • È possibile una cosa simile? Is such a thing possible?

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related terms

Latin

Adjective

simile

  1. nominative masculine singular of similis
  2. nominative feminine singular of similis
  3. vocative masculine singular of similis
  4. vocative feminine singular of similis

References

  • simile in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers

Etymology

First attested 1393, from Latin simile ("comparison, likeness", "parallel"), originally from simile the neuter form of similis ("like, similar, resembling"). Confer the English similar.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsɪməli/
Examples (figure of speech)

Her eyes were like stars.

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