neoclassicism

The term 'neoclassicism' is a modern compound that precisely maps its conceptual meaning. It combines the Greek-derived prefix 'neo-' (new) with the Latin-rooted 'classic', referring to the esteemed art of ancient Greece and Rome, and the Greek-derived suffix '-ism', which denotes a distinct practice or philosophy. The word's literal construction, "the doctrine of the new classical style," perfectly captures the movement's core intent: a deliberate revival and re-application of classical principles of harmony, proportion, and idealized form, which began in the mid-18th century as a reaction against the perceived excesses of the Baroque and Rococo styles. It represents a conscious return to perceived ancient virtues, framed as a new intellectual and artistic system for the modern age.

Structure: neo (new) + classic (of the highest class/antiquity) + ism (doctrine/system) - neo: From Greek 'neos', meaning 'new'. A prefix indicating a revived or modern form of something. - classic: From Latin 'classicus', meaning 'of the highest class' or 'belonging to the first class', later associated with the admired authors and artists of Greek and Roman antiquity. - ism: A suffix from Greek '-ismos', forming nouns denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement.