Used in academic or historical texts referring to actual saints' lives, mostly in religious studies.

Historical Context

The term doesn't imply criticism or praise; it's a neutral description of the writer's subject matter.

Neutral Tone

Refers to a niche genre of literature; not commonly used in everyday language.

Often used metaphorically to critique writers who embellish someone's life story.

It can suggest the subject's portrayal lacks balance and objectivity.

In contemporary contexts, it's used to describe sycophantic behavior, not just writing.