Euphuism

Euphuism, literally the imitating of Euphues. This was the part title of a book, or rather books, written by Lyly in the latter part of the 16th century. The language was high-flown, and the sentiments exaggerated and fantastic, but the books became the models of court speech. Scott, in the Monastery, tries to show us what it may have been like in the mouth of a courtier, as does also Kingsley in Westward Ho.