Bucolic is a word that is often used to describe the idyllic and peaceful nature of rural life. It is a term that has been used for centuries to evoke images of pastoral landscapes and the simple pleasures of country living. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of bucolic, its origin, and its various associations.
Definitions
Bucolic is an adjective that is used to describe something that is of or relating to the countryside or rural life. It is often used to describe a pastoral setting or a scene that is reminiscent of the countryside. Bucolic can also be used to describe a person who is simple, unsophisticated, or rustic.
Origin
The word bucolic comes from the Greek word boukolos, which means “cowherd” or “herdsman.” The term was first used in English in the early 17th century to describe pastoral poetry that depicted the lives of shepherds and other rural workers.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, bucolic means “of or relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live in the country.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines bucolic as “pertaining to or characteristic of rural life; pastoral.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines bucolic as “relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live there.”
Associations
Bucolic is often associated with the simple pleasures of rural life, such as farming, gardening, and spending time outdoors. It is also associated with the idea of a slower pace of life, where people have more time to enjoy the natural world around them. Bucolic landscapes are often depicted in art and literature as idyllic and peaceful, with rolling hills, fields of crops, and grazing animals.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of bucolic include pastoral, rural, rustic, and country. These words all convey a similar meaning of being related to the countryside or rural life.
Antonyms
Antonyms of bucolic include urban, metropolitan, and city. These words describe a more urban or city-based lifestyle and are the opposite of the bucolic lifestyle.
The same root words
The root word of bucolic is boukolos, which means “cowherd” or “herdsman.” Other words that share this root include bovine, which refers to cattle, and cowboy, which refers to a worker who herds cattle.
Example Sentences
- The bucolic landscape was dotted with fields of wheat and corn.
- She loved the bucolic lifestyle of living in a small town and spending time outdoors.
- The poetry of William Wordsworth often depicted bucolic scenes of rural life.
- The city-dweller found it difficult to adjust to the bucolic pace of life in the countryside.
- The bucolic charm of the small village was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.