romanesque
Meaning
relating to a style of architecture that was common in western and southern Europe from the 9th to the 12th centuries, characterized by round arches, thick walls, and large pillars
of or relating to a style of art or literature that is reminiscent of the ancient Romans or the qualities of ancient Roman art
Structure
Usage
The massive, round arches are a hallmark of romanesque church architecture.
The novel's grand, rhetorical prose was described as having a romanesque quality.
Tourists marvel at the romanesque sculptures adorning the cathedral's portal.
Etymology
The word 'romanesque' is a relatively modern formation, coined in English in the early 19th century to describe the architectural style that succeeded the Roman. It is built from the root 'Roman', referring to ancient Rome, and the adjectival suffix '-esque', borrowed from French and Italian, meaning 'in the style of'. The term's logic is direct: it literally means "in the Roman style." However, it does not refer to the architecture of ancient Rome itself, but to a later medieval style that was perceived by scholars as a debased continuation or imitation of Roman architectural principles, particularly the use of the round arch. Thus, the word encapsulates a historical perspective, labeling an era by its relationship to a classical past it sought to emulate.
Analysis
- roman: From Latin 'Romanus', meaning 'of Rome' or 'Roman'. In this compound, it functions as the root specifying the subject of the style. - esque: From French '-esque', which derives from Italian '-esco', and ultimately from Medieval Latin '-iscus', a suffix meaning 'in the manner or style of'. It functions as an adjectival suffix.