Bunyanesque

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Bunyan +‎ -esque

Adjective

[edit]

Bunyanesque (comparative more Bunyanesque, superlative most Bunyanesque)

  1. Reminiscent of the allegorical writings of John Bunyan (1628–1688), English Christian writer and preacher, best known for The Pilgrim's Progress.
    • 2016, Corey Latta, C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing:
      Lewis's Bunyanesque allegory about a character named John on a journey to the island of Joy is loaded with abstract allusions, overly simple characterizations of culture, and at times a convoluted style.
  2. Relating to, or reminiscent of, the legends about Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack in American folklore
    • 2008, Gary K. Weiand, The First Superstar: Bareknuckles: John L. Sullivan:
      Too damaged to train for the Rooke fight, which he had to cancel, Donovan returned to New York full of Bunyanesque stories of a young Irishman destined to be the greatest fighter of all time.
  3. Of immense size.
    • 2018 April 19, Jason Bittel, “Earth’s mammals have shrunk dramatically, and humans are to blame”, in The Washington Post:
      Just a little more than 100,000 years ago, there were sloths as long as a giraffe is tall, monstrous bears whose shoulders were six feet off the ground, and Bunyanesque beavers that weighed as much as an NFL linebacker.