Roscian

Roscian
   Quintus Callus Roscius (c. 126-62 B.C.) was of free birth in the Sabine region of the Roman Empire. He became the greatest actor of his time. His grace was unrivaled, as were the mellifluence of his voice, depth of his conception of character, and subtlety of his delivery. He became a friend of Cicero. Cicero reportedly took lessons from him, and they often competed to see who could better express an idea or an emotion. Roscius became wealthy enough to retire from the stage at an early age and to do as he wished. And so his acting career was relatively shortlived. But his name has had a surprising longevity: Today its adjective form, Roscian, is still used to express high standards. It is an eponym for perfection in acting. His name is a byword for a great actor. A Roscian performance is one of superlative skill.
   Shakespeare acknowledges the superiority and versatility of Roscius's work in Henry VI, part 3: "What scene of death hath Roscius now to act."

Dictionary of eponyms. . 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Roscian — /rosh ee euhn, rosh euhn/, adj. of, pertaining to, or involving acting. [1630 40; ROSCI(US) + AN] * * * …   Universalium

  • Roscian — adjective famous for being an actor …   Wiktionary

  • róscian — see róstian …   Old to modern English dictionary

  • roscian — ros·ci·an …   English syllables

  • roscian — ˈräsh(ē)ən adjective Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: Latin roscianus of Roscius, from Roscius (Roman gentile name borne by several prominent persons including Quintus Roscius) + Latin anus an : of, relating to, or skilled in acting …   Useful english dictionary

  • thespian — adj 1. histrionic, histrionical, Roscian, Sl. ham or hammy, Sl. actressy; dramatic, dramaturgic, dramaturgical, theatrical, theatric, tragic; scenic, stagy; operatic. n 2. actor, actress, player, playactor, stage player, stage performer,… …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • Mougins — 43° 36′ 02″ N 6° 59′ 39″ E / 43.6006, 6.9942 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • actor — n 1. player, stage player, performer, stage performer, playactor, role player, trouper, Sl. ham; theatrician, thespian, Roscian, histrio, histrion, Archaic. histrionic; personator, impersonator, actress. 2. doer, executor, executant, executrix;… …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • barnstormer — n 1. actor, player, stage player, performer, stage performer, playactor, role player, trouper, strolling player, Sl. ham; theatrician, thespian, Roscian, histrio, histrion, Archaic. histrionic; actress. 2. stunt pilot, stunt flier, stunt man …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

  • dramatic — adj 1. theatrical, theatric; dramaturgical, dramaturgic; scenic, stagy; operatic; thespian, histrionic, histrionical, Roscian, Sl. hammy. 2. vivid, graphic, expressive, meaningful; moving, touching, affecting, emotive; powerful, potent, forceful; …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

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