Povest' - etymology, thoughts?

[Natasha Randall]

Dear SEELANGers,

Can anyone point me in the direction of a discussion about the word  
'povest'' and its origins? I'm wondering why the word was used to  
describe the thing... I want particularly to understand attitudes  
towards the novel in centuries past. I can see how 'roman' came about...

Thank you in advance,
Natasha Randall
Translator

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