Centonical

/sɛnˈtɑnɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to, composed of, or having the nature of a cento; resembling a patchwork arrangement of borrowed materials.

Etymology

From Latin 'cento' + Greek/Latin '-ical' suffix (like). This adjective was formed by scholars to describe literary works or styles that employed the cento technique extensively.

Kelly Says

When literary critics wanted to be fancy about criticizing something as just a bunch of stolen bits glued together, they'd call it 'centonical' instead of saying 'plagiarized'!

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