English

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Etymology

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From poly- +‎ lineal.

Adjective

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polylineal (comparative more polylineal, superlative most polylineal)

  1. Having or being composed of many lines.
  2. (art) Describing any of several stylistic or expressive devices, especially in contemporary western calligraphy, employing repetition of words or phrases.
    The painting uses polylineal writing to create a brown texture over the lower third of the canvas.

References

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  • The term was used at least a far back as the late 1980s where it can be found in such magazines as Calligraphy Review and Letter Arts Review.