Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cento

noun

/ˈsɛn.toʊ/

Definition

A cento is a literary work made up of verses or passages taken from one or more authors, often reassembled and rearranged to create a new narrative or theme.

Examples

Many poets experiment with cento as a way to pay homage to their literary influences.
The anthology included a cento that blended lines from classical literature with contemporary poetry.

Meaning

The term is derived from the Latin word ‘cento’, meaning ‘patchwork’. It refers to a composition that is constructed from existing texts, highlighting creativity within the constraints of borrowed language.