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novel Definition

novel (näv′əl)

adjective

new and unusual; esp., being the first of its kind

Etymology: ME novell < OFr novel < L novellus, dim. of novus, new

noun

  1. Obsolete novella (sense )
  2. a relatively long fictional prose narrative with a more or less complex plot or pattern of events, about actions, feelings, motives, etc. of a group of characters
  3. the type or form of literature represented by such narratives: with the

  4. Etymology: < LL novellae (constitutiones)

    Rom. Law a new law or decree, specif. one made by Justinian supplementary to the Justinian code: usually used in pl.

Etymology: It novella < L neut. pl. of novellus (see novelthe ), hence, orig., new things, news

novel Related Forms

nov′·el·is′·tic adjective nov′·el·is′·ti·cally adverb

novel Synonyms

novel

modif.

new, odd, innovative, different; see original 2, 3, unique 1, unusual 1, 2. See syn. study at new.

novel Synonyms

novel

n.

paperback, best-seller, fiction; see book 1, story.

Types of novels include: romance, historical romance, autobiographical, epistolary, detective, love, Bildungsroman (German), roman fleuve, roman à clef (both French), novella, adventure, ghost, mystery, western, science fiction, sci-fi, SF, science fantasy, novel of the soil; historical, regional, naturalistic, Gothic, problem, biographical, psychological, political, pornographic, satirical, picaresque, social, adventure, supernatural; thriller*, chiller*, shocker*, bodice-ripper*, techno-thriller*, potboiler*, pulp*, porn*.

novel Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • bestsel: Veteran Hollywood screenwriter Robin Swicord does a superb job of adapting Arthur Golden's bestselling novel to the big screen.
  • write: What do you enjoy most, writing novels or teaching creative writing?
  • publish: She has had six adult novels and seven teenage novels published.
  • read: The Jane Austen Book club features a reading group who only read novels by Jane Austen.

Adjective modifier

  • graphic: Note that large/heavy books may have P&P of £ 3 or more. graphic novels: try for £ 5-7 total.
  • best-selling: Synopsis Sarah Harrison became a household name in the 1980s with her internationally best-selling novels.
  • acclaimed: Debbie Taylor's acclaimed novel The Fourth Queen was published last year; she also edits the writing magazine Mslexia.
  • autobiographical: Evil is based on a 1981 autobiographical novel by acclaimed Swedish author Jan Guillou.
  • historical: Based on the historical novel by Philippa Gregory, the film will chart the Boleyn family's struggle for power via their daughters.
  • classic: Among her own experiences she slips extracts from classic novels which illuminate the dilemma further.

Modifies a noun

  • therapeutics: Work in Respiratory genetics is leading to the development of improved diagnostics and novel therapeutics.
  • gene: A novel tumor suppressor gene implicated in colorectal cancer progression has also been identified by this group.
  • approach: This was solved with a rather novel approach by Dunstan Orchard.
  • inhibitor: Exploitation of this technology is even more attractive given the availability of screens to identify novel inhibitors.

Noun used with modifier

  • debut: You released your incredible debut novel Trumpet at the end of the 90s.
  • detective: A detective novel, really, with a fair amount of careful detail.
  • fantasy: I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy novels and playing ( old-fashioned?
  • suspense: The Levanter, Eric Ambler's 1972 suspense novel, is topical again, given the recent strife in the Middle East.
  • fiction: I wrote four teenage fiction novels before I wrote Divine Endurance which was my first adult SF novel.
  • horror: D: Eric Till ( 1970 ) 21:00 The Shining Stanley Kubrick's terrifying take on Stephen King's popular horror novel.