Literary notes about ensemble (AI summary)
The term "ensemble" is employed to evoke the sense of a united whole made up of various elements that, when combined, create a distinctive overall impression. In literary contexts it can refer to a character’s complete appearance—captured by the phrase "tout ensemble" conveying a look of graceful neglect [1][2]—or to the harmonious grouping of elements in a painting, where different viewpoints merge into a cohesive composition [3]. The word also extends to abstract assemblies, such as the collective rush of ideas during sleep [4] or the integrated parts of military operations whose coordination is vital in battle [5]. In musical and artistic descriptions, "ensemble" denotes the union of components into a precise and evocative formation [6][7][8], demonstrating its versatile role as a marker of unity and collective identity across varied literary genres.
- Brush my hair as much out of curl as you can, and give an air of graceful negligence to my tout ensemble."
— from Pelham — Volume 03 by Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron - And then, her air, her manner, her tout ensemble , is so indescribably improved!
— from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - As for painting: for a picture one requires viewpoints, grouping, ensemble—and sky, the Italian sky!
— from Pan Tadeusz; or, The last foray in Lithuania by Adam Mickiewicz - rêve , m. , ensemble d'idées qui se présentent à l'esprit pendant le sommeil; songe.
— from French Conversation and Composition by Harry Vincent Wann - Whatever may be its importance in the ensemble of the operations of war, cavalry can never defend a position without the support of infantry.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - [TABLE OF CONTENTS] X FRANZ KNEISEL THE PERFECT STRING ENSEMBLE Is there a lover of chamber music unfamiliar with Franz Kneisel's name?
— from Violin Mastery: Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers by Frederick Herman Martens - Moreover, melodic figures in the very high register of the violins become too isolated from the rest of the ensemble unless doubled in octaves.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - (The male singers and the woman singer take the glasses, sing two drinking songs, and are accompanied by all the instrumental ensemble.)
— from The Middle-Class Gentleman by Molière
