Lovecraftian

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English

Etymology

From H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), an American author of fantasy, horror and science fiction, noted for combining these three genres within single narratives.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /lʌvˈkɹæfti.ən/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

Lovecraftian (comparative more Lovecraftian, superlative most Lovecraftian)

  1. Frighteningly monstrous and otherworldly, sometimes with terrifyingly unnatural anatomy.
    • 1984, Dean R. Koontz, Darkfall, page 362:
      The tip of the thing was equipped with long whiplike appendages that writhed around a loose, drooling, toothless mouth large enough to swallow a man whole...Perhaps this was the only thing that the escaping Lovecraftian entity had thus far been able to extrude between the opening Gates — this one finger.
  2. Of, pertaining to, or emulating the style or works of author H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).
    Lovecraftian horror, Lovecraftian fiction
    • 2006 — A. Blackwood, August Derleth, The Ithaqua Cycle, page 102
      The present story, "Born of the Winds", is one of the best. For one thing, the vision of the story is pure Lovecraftian cosmic pessimism.

Quotations

  • 1984Dean R. Koontz, Darkfall, p.362
    The tip of the thing was equipped with long whiplike appendages that writhed around a loose, drooling, toothless mouth large enough to swallow a man whole...Perhaps this was the only thing that the escaping Lovecraftian entity had thus far been able to extrude between the opening Gates — this one finger.
  • 1997 — B. R. Speer, Introduction to the Myxini, UCMP
    The adjective which best describes the Myxini is "Lovecraftian". Hagfish are long, slender and pinkish, and are best known for the large quantities of sticky slime which they produce. Hagfish have three accessory hearts, no cerebrum or cerebellum, no jaws or stomach, and will "sneeze" when their nostrils clog with their own slime.
  • 1998 — Daniel Harms, The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana: A Guide to Lovecraftian Horror
  • 2001 — S. T. Joshi, The Modern Weird Tale, p 137
    But even “The Horror from the Bridge” is still set in 1931, as if he were satisfied in merely transplanting the Lovecraftian scenario to another location.
  • 2006 — A. Blackwood, August Derleth, The Ithaqua Cycle, page 102
    The present story, "Born of the Winds", is one of the best. For one thing, the vision of the story is pure Lovecraftian cosmic pessimism

Translations

See also