English edit

Etymology edit

Bunyan +‎ -esque

Adjective edit

Bunyanesque (comparative more Bunyanesque, superlative most Bunyanesque)

  1. Reminiscent of the allegorical writings of John Bunyan (1628–1688), English Christian writer and preacher, best known for The Pilgrim's Progress.
    • 2016, Corey Latta, C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing:
      Lewis's Bunyanesque allegory about a character named John on a journey to the island of Joy is loaded with abstract allusions, overly simple characterizations of culture, and at times a convoluted style.
  2. Relating to, or reminiscent of, the legends about Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack in American folklore
    • 2008, Gary K. Weiand, The First Superstar: Bareknuckles: John L. Sullivan:
      Too damaged to train for the Rooke fight, which he had to cancel, Donovan returned to New York full of Bunyanesque stories of a young Irishman destined to be the greatest fighter of all time.
  3. Of immense size.
    • 2018 April 19, Jason Bittel, “Earth’s mammals have shrunk dramatically, and humans are to blame”, in The Washington Post:
      Just a little more than 100,000 years ago, there were sloths as long as a giraffe is tall, monstrous bears whose shoulders were six feet off the ground, and Bunyanesque beavers that weighed as much as an NFL linebacker.