in Poetry, a kind of pastoral composition, in which shepherds are introduced conversing together. The word is formed from the Greek ἐκλογή choice; so that, according to the etymology, eclogue should be a select piece; but custom has assigned to it a further signification, namely, a little elegant composition in a simple natural style and manner.

The idyl and the eclogue, in their primary sense, are the same; but custom has appropriated the name of eclogue to pieces in which shepherds are introduced; and idyl to those written in a simple style, but without any pastoral interlocutors.