poetics

[poh-et-iks] /poʊˈɛt ɪks/
noun, (used with a singular verb)
1.
literary criticism treating of the nature and laws of poetry.
2.
the study of prosody.
3.
a treatise on poetry.
4.
(initial capital letter, italics) a treatise or collection of notes on aesthetics (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle.
Origin
1720-30; see poetic, -ics

poetic

[poh-et-ik] /poʊˈɛt ɪk/
adjective, Also, poetical
1.
possessing the qualities or charm of poetry:
poetic descriptions of nature.
2.
of or pertaining to a poet or poets.
3.
characteristic of or befitting a poet:
poetic feeling; poetic insight.
4.
endowed with the faculty or feeling of a poet:
a poetic eulogist.
5.
having or showing the sensibility of a poet:
a poetic lover.
6.
of or pertaining to poetry:
poetic literature.
7.
of the nature of or resembling poetry:
a poetic composition; poetic drama; poetic imagination.
8.
celebrated in poetry, as a place.
9.
providing a subject for poetry.
10.
of or pertaining to literature in verse form.
noun
11.
poetics.
Origin
1520-30; < Latin poēticus < Greek poiētikós. See poet, -ic
Related forms
poetically, adverb
antipoetical, adjective
antipoetically, adverb
nonpoetic, adjective
prepoetic, adjective
prepoetical, adjective
pseudopoetic, adjective
pseudopoetical, adjective
quasi-poetic, adjective
quasi-poetical, adjective
quasi-poetically, adverb
unpoetic, adjective
unpoetical, adjective
unpoetically, adverb
Examples from the web for poetics
  • It betrays the artist's fascination with the poetics and politics of parallel worlds.
  • Here, reversing the natural order, poetics came before poetry.
  • They can use the discoveries of science, the poetics of theology.
  • They can criticise and expound verses, and invent theories of poetics, and compile anthologies.
  • Lest this poetics be facile, he subjects it to his own complication, breaking the cadence for the sake of definition and measure.
British Dictionary definitions for poetics

poetics

/pəʊˈɛtɪks/
noun (usually functioning as sing)
1.
the principles and forms of poetry or the study of these, esp as a form of literary criticism
2.
a treatise on poetry

poetic

/pəʊˈɛtɪk/
adjective
1.
of or relating to poetry
2.
characteristic of poetry, as in being elevated, sublime, etc
3.
characteristic of a poet
4.
recounted in verse
Derived Forms
poetically, adverb
Word Origin and History for poetics

poetic

adj.

1520s, from poet + -ic, or else from or influenced by Middle French poetique (c.1400), from Latin poeticus, from Greek poietikos "pertaining to poetry," literally "creative, productive," from poietos "made," verbal adjective of poiein "to make" (see poet). Related: Poetics (1727). Poetic justice "ideal justice as portrayed in plays and stories" is from 1670s. Poetic license attested by 1733.

Earlier adjective was poetical (late 14c.); also obsolete poetly (mid-15c.). Related: Poetically (early 15c.).