neo-gothic

The term "Neo-Gothic" is a compound formed in the 19th century to describe the conscious revival of medieval Gothic architecture. The first element, "neo-", is derived from the Ancient Greek word neos, meaning "new," indicating a modern iteration or rebirth. The second element, "Gothic," originates from the name of the Germanic Goths but, by the 17th century, had become associated with the medieval architectural style that Renaissance critics disparagingly attributed to the "barbaric" Goths. Thus, "Neo-Gothic" literally means "new Gothic," encapsulating the 19th-century movement that sought to revive and adapt the forms, aesthetics, and spiritual ideals of the original Gothic period for contemporary buildings like churches, universities, and government structures.

Structure: neo (new) + gothic (Gothic style) - neo: From Greek neos (new). A combining form meaning new, recent, or revived. - gothic: From Late Latin Gothicus (of the Goths). In this context, it refers to the architectural style prevalent in Western Europe from the 12th to 16th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses.