verisimilitude
noun
The appearance of being true or real; the quality of seeming to be true. In art and literature, the creation of believable, lifelike representations.
Etymology
From Latin "verisimilitudo," from "verisimilis" (having the appearance of truth), from "verus" (true) + "similis" (similar). Literally "truth-likeness."
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The novel's verisimilitude made readers forget they were reading fiction."
- 2.
"Historical dramas sacrifice verisimilitude for entertainment."
- 3.
"Despite being fantasy, the world-building had remarkable verisimilitude."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Aristotle discussed verisimilitude in his Poetics, arguing that poetry should depict what "might happen" according to probability. This concept influenced literary criticism for over two thousand years.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 14 letters (V, E, R, I, S, I, M, I, L, I, T, U, D, E)
Scrabble Value: 20 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "VERISIMILITUDE" appears in many related words.
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