poin·til·lism / ˈpwantēˌyizəm; ˈpointlˌizəm/ • n. a technique of neo-Impressionist painting using tiny dots of various pure colors, which become blended in the viewer's eye. It was developed by Seurat with the aim of producing a greater degree of luminosity and brilliance of color.DERIVATIVES: poin·til·list / ˌpwantēˈyēst; ˈpointl-ist/ n. & adj.poin·til·list·ic / ˌpwantēˈyistik; ˌpointlˈistik/ adj.

pointillism method of impressionist painters consisting in the use of small dots of colour. XIX. — F., f. pointiller mark with small points or dots, f. pointille — It. puntiglio, f. punto = F. point POINT; see -ISM.

pointillism (Fr. pointiller, ‘to dot’) Technique of painting in regular dots or small dashes of pure colour, developed from neo-impressionism by Georges Seurat. When looked at from a distance, the dots create a vibrant optical effect.