baroque
adj 1: having elaborate symmetrical ornamentation; "the
building...frantically baroque"-William Dean Howells
[syn: baroque, churrigueresque, churrigueresco]
2: of or relating to or characteristic of the elaborately
ornamented style of architecture, art, and music popular in
Europe between 1600 and 1750 [syn: baroque, Baroque]
n 1: the historic period from about 1600 until 1750 when the
baroque style of art, architecture, and music flourished in
Europe [syn: Baroque, Baroque era, Baroque period]
2: elaborate and extensive ornamentation in decorative art and
architecture that flourished in Europe in the 17th century
[syn: baroque, baroqueness]
baroque
1765, from M.Fr. baroque "irregular," from Port. barroco "imperfect
pearl," Sp. berruca "a wart," origin unknown. "This style in decorations
got the epithet of Barroque taste, derived from a word signifying
pearls and teeth of unequal size." [Fuseli's translation of Winkelmann,
1765] Klein suggests the name may be from It. painter Federigo Barocci
(1528-1612), a founder of the style. How to tell baroque from rococo,
according to Fowler: "The characteristics of baroque are grandeur,
pomposity, and weight; those of rococo are inconsequence, grace, and
lightness." But the two terms often used without distinction for styles
featuring odd and excessive ornamentation.
baroque I. adjectiveUsage: often capitalized Etymology: French, from Middle
French barroque irregularly shaped (of a pearl), from Portuguese
barroco irregularly shaped pearl Date: 1765 1. of,
relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of artistic expression
prevalent especially in the 17th century that is marked generally by use
of complex forms, bold ornamentation, and the juxtaposition of contrasting
elements often conveying a sense of drama, movement, and tension 2.
characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, complexity, or flamboyance
3. irregularly shaped — used of gems <a baroque pearl>
• baroquelyadverbII. nounUsage: often capitalized Date: 1877
the baroque style or the period in which it flourished
baroque adj. & n. --adj. 1 highly ornate and extravagant in style, esp. of European art, architecture, and music of the 17th and 18th c. 2 of or relating to this period. --n. 1 the
baroque style. 2 baroque art collectively. Etymology: F (orig. = 'irregular pearl') f. Port. barroco, of unkn. orig.
baroque
bəˈrɔk adj. & n. --adj. 1 highly ornate and extravagant in
style, esp. of European art, architecture, and music of the 17th and 18th
c. 2 of or relating to this period. --n. 1 the baroque style. 2 baroque art
collectively. [F (orig. = 'irregular pearl') f. Port. barroco, of unkn. orig.]
Baroque
ornamentation of a florid and incongruous character, more
lavish and showy rather than true and tasteful; much in vogue from the
16th to the 18th centuries.
baroque adj. [common] Feature-encrusted; complex; gaudy; verging on
excessive. Said of hardware or (esp.) software designs, this has many of
the connotations of elephantine or monstrosity but is less extreme
and not pejorative in itself. "Metafont even has features to introduce
random variations to its letterform output. Now _that_ is baroque!" See
also rococo.
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