Obs. [ad. L. charientismus, a. Gr. χαριεντισμός gracefulness of style, expression of an unpleasant thing in an agreeable manner; cf. F. charientisme.] (See quots.)
[1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (Arb.), 201. The Greeks call it charientismus.]
1709. Brit. Apollo, II. No. 19. 1/1. A Charientism is that Species of an Irony, which couches a Disagreeable Sense under Agreeable Expressions.
