sword and sorcery

See also: sword-and-sorcery

English

Alternative forms

• sword-and-sorcery
• swords and sorcery

Pronunciation

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Adjective

sword and sorcery (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Of or pertaining to a genre of narratives—including short stories, novels, television shows, films, and computer games—which combines wizardry and other fantastical supernatural elements with violent combat using pre-modern weaponry.
   • 1972, Don Davidson, “Sword and Sorcery Fiction: An Annotated Book List”, in The English Journal, volume 61, number 1, page 44:

     In the typical Sword and Sorcery novel, the setting resembles the misty landscape of Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, in that larger-than-life heroes struggle against strange and nightmarish antagonists.

Noun

sword and sorcery (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) A genre of narratives—including short stories, novels, television shows, films, and computer games—which combines wizardry and other fantastical supernatural elements with violent combat using pre-modern weaponry.