Verisimilitude
Noun
Definition: The appearance or semblance of truth; likelihood; probability.
Definition: The quality of seeming to be true or real.
Synonyms: Authenticity, Plausibility, Credibility
Antonyms: Falsehood, Implausibility, Incredibility
- The movie's attention to detail and accurate portrayal of historical events gave it a sense of verisimilitude.
- The author's use of vivid descriptions created an atmosphere of verisimilitude in the story.
- Verisimilitude can be remembered as "veer + similar + attitude," indicating that it refers to something that appears similar to reality.
- Think of the word "veracity" (truthfulness) and its similarity to "verisimilitude" to remember its meaning of appearing true or real.
Etymology:
The word "verisimilitude" originated from the Latin word "verisimilitudo," which combines "verus" (true) and "similitudo" (likeness). It entered the English language around the early 17th century.
Historical Usage:The concept of verisimilitude has been important in literature and theatrical works dating back to ancient Greece. It has been used to describe the degree to which a fictional work represents reality or truth.
Related Idioms:
"Suspension of disbelief"
Explanation:This phrase refers to the acceptance of unrealistic or fantastical elements in a work of fiction, allowing the reader or viewer to believe in the story's verisimilitude.
Misconceptions:
Verisimilitude means absolute truth or factuality.
Explanation:Verisimilitude does not imply actual truth, but rather the appearance or resemblance of truth. It is a concept used in creative works to enhance the believability or realism, even if the content is fictional.