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poem

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The definition of a poem is a collection of words that express an emotion or idea, sometimes with a specific rhythm.

(noun)

An example of a poem is the children’s rhyme, Mary Had a Little Lamb.

See poem in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an arrangement of words written or spoken: traditionally a rhythmical composition, sometimes rhymed, expressing experiences, ideas, or emotions in a style more concentrated, imaginative, and powerful than that of ordinary speech or prose: some poems are in meter, some in free verse
anything suggesting a poem in its effect

Origin: MFr poeme < L poema < Gr poiēma, anything made, poem < poiein, to make < IE base *kwei-, to heap up, build, make > Sans cinōti, (he) arranges, OSlav činiti, to arrange, form

See poem in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A verbal composition designed to convey experiences, ideas, or emotions in a vivid and imaginative way, characterized by the use of language chosen for its sound and suggestive power and by the use of literary techniques such as meter, metaphor, and rhyme.
A composition in verse rather than in prose.
A literary composition written with an intensity or beauty of language more characteristic of poetry than of prose.
A creation, object, or experience having beauty suggestive of poetry.

Origin:

Origin: French poème

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin poēma

Origin: , from Greek poiēma

Origin: , from poiein, to create; see k^wei-² in Indo-European roots

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