poetized

Poetized is the past tense and past participle of the verb poetize (American English) or poetise (British English), meaning to render something in a poetical manner or to turn prose or speech into poetry. As an adjective, poetized describes language, imagery, or style that has been made more poetic or ornate.

Etymology and variations: The term is formed from poet + -ize/-ise. In American spelling the forms poetize and poetized are standard; in British spelling poetise and poetised are used. Related verbs include poeticize and poeticise, which convey a similar action but with slight stylistic emphasis.

Usage: Poeticizing or poetizing is relatively uncommon in ordinary prose today, but may appear in literary criticism, rhetoric, or historical discussions of writing. It often implies deliberate stylization toward elevated diction, metaphor, and musical cadence, rather than spontaneous verse. The past participle poetized can function as a descriptive label, as in “a poetized prose style” or “a poetized vision of the city.”

Examples: “The editor poetized the prose to give it ceremonial gravitas.” “Her speech was heavily poetized, rich with alliteration and metaphor.”

See also: poeticize, poeticise, versify, poetic language.