AI for Breakfast

Post 126 - Word Wednesday - Adumbratism

Interestingly it seems that ChatGPT may of made this word up! Although there is a verb 'Adumbrate' on asking Perplexity I got this answer:

I could not find a definition for the term "Adumbratism" in the provided search results or in my own knowledge base. The search results focus on defining the verb "adumbrate", but do not mention "Adumbratism".

• The verb "adumbrate" means:To outline or give a faint indication of something
• To foreshadow or suggest something that will happen in the future
• To produce a faint image or resemblance of something
• To overshadow or obscure

However, the search results do not contain any information about "Adumbratism" as a concept or philosophy. It's possible this is a very obscure term that is not commonly defined. Without more context about where you encountered this term or what you believe it refers to, I do not have enough information to provide a confident definition. My apologies I could not fully answer your query based on the given search results. Let me know if you have any other details that could help clarify the meaning of "Adumbratism".

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Adumbratism is the tendency to give an outline or shadowy representation of something. It involves hinting at or suggesting something rather than fully revealing or explaining it. The word originates from the Latin 'adumbrare,' which means 'to shade' or 'to foreshadow.'

Examples of adumbratism in use:

Literature:

In many classic novels, authors use adumbratism to create suspense. For instance, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the creature is often described in vague terms, leaving much to the reader’s imagination and heightening the sense of mystery.

Art:

Artists like J.M.W. Turner often employed adumbratism in their paintings. Turner’s use of light and shadow in his seascapes adumbrates the forms of ships and landscapes, creating a sense of ethereal beauty.

Film:

Alfred Hitchcock was a master of adumbratism in cinema. His film Psycho is a prime example, where the suspense and horror are intensified by what is suggested rather than what is explicitly shown.

Communication:

In political speeches, leaders sometimes use adumbratism to address sensitive topics. By providing only a shadowy outline of their stance, they leave room for interpretation and avoid committing to specifics that might be controversial.

In everyday conversation:

"The CEO’s speech was full of adumbratism, leaving employees wondering about the future direction of the company."

"Her poetry is rich with adumbratism, hinting at deeper meanings without ever stating them outright."

"The detective’s adumbratism about the case kept the media in suspense, eager for more details."