A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Ecphrasis,-is (s.f.III), abl.sg. ecphrase, also ekphrasis,-is (s.f.III), abl.sg. ekphrase = Gk. ekphrasis,-eOs (s.f.III):’ description;’ title of works descriptive of works of art, as that of Callistratus; = epithymia” (Liddell & Scott); cf. Gk. ekphrassO: ‘remove obstacles, open’].

Eng.noun ecphrasis, a literary commentary, poem, detailed description or meditation on a visual work of art, such as the images on an archeological vessel, a painting, a portrait.

NOTE: Gk. eipthymia (s.f.I), yearning, longing, desire, craving; often with a negative connotation: lust; syn. = (h)imeros.

- Ecphrasis. [Published in] Rome, 1616, written by Fabius Columna, Italian, = Fabio Colonna.

- Fabii Columnae Lyncei Minus Cognitarum Rariorumque Nostro Coelo Orientium Stirpium Ekphrasis (1616); the eckphrasis [description] of Fabius Columna of the Lincean Academy of plants less known and rather rare arising in our climatic region [i.e. latitude].

NOTE: The Accademia dei Lincei, Italian = “Academy of the Lynx-Eyed;” Eng. = the Lincean Academy in Rome; see Lynx.