prosopopeya

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Spanish

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Etymology

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From Ancient Greek προσωποποιία (prosōpopoiía, dramatization, the putting of speeches into the mouths of characters).

Noun

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prosopopeya f (plural prosopopeyas)

  1. personification
    • 1999 October 12, “La costosa dictablanda de Pujol”, in El País[1]:
      Pese a sus apariencias de simpático tendero, Pujol es hombre amante de la pompa, la prosopopeya y los grandes coups de théatre: lo demuestra subiendo al Aneto y bajando iluminado como Moisés del Sinaí, con el mensaje electoral a punto.
      Despite his appearances as a friendly shopkeeper, Pujol is a man who loves pomp, prosopopoeia and grand coups de théatre: he demonstrates it by going up to Aneto and descending enlightened like Moses from Sinai, with his electoral message ready at hand.
  2. affected solemnity
    • 1877, Benito Pérez Galdós, Gloria:
      -Pues tiene poco de envidiable -dijo Rafael con cierto tonillo de despreocupación que contrastaba con su habitual prosopopeya
      "Well, it has little to envy," Rafael said with a certain air of nonchalance that contrasted with his usual seriousness.

Further reading

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