1. plural of idylist; writers or artists who compose or create idylls (idealized, picturesque scenes or narratives, often of rural or pastoral life)
Usage: literary; often used in historical or academic contexts to refer to poets and authors of the Romantic era

Examples

• The Romantic idylists of the 19th century celebrated the beauty of nature and rural simplicity.
• Many idylists drew inspiration from classical Greek and Roman pastoral traditions.
• Critics argued that idylists often romanticized peasant life without acknowledging its hardships.
• The idylists' works offered readers an escape from the industrial realities of their time.
• Tennyson and other Victorian idylists produced some of the era's most beloved poetry.