[a. F. lyrisme, or ad. Gr. λυρισμός playing on the lyre, f. λύρα LYRE.] = LYRICISM. Also (nonce-use), lyrical performances, singing of songs.
1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, liii. The lyrism, which had at first only manifested itself by David’s sotto voce performance of ‘My love’s a rose without a thorn,’ had gradually assumed a rather deafening and complex character.
1870. Athenæum, 7 May, 609. The extraordinary outburst of lyrism, which was witnessed thirty years ago in France.
1886. Symonds, Renaiss. Italy, Cath. React. (1898), VII. viii. 97. Tasso developed the lyrism of the octave stanza.
1896. Tablet, 18 July, 86/2. Such flights of delirious lyrism as the following.
