renaissance

re·nais·sance

noun, often attributive \ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s, -ˈzän(t)s, -ˈsäⁿs, -ˈzäⁿs, ˈre-nə-ˌ, chiefly British ri-ˈnā-s^ən(t)s\

Definition of RENAISSANCE

1

capitalized

a : the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science

b : the period of the Renaissance

c : the neoclassic style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity

3

: rebirth, revival

Examples of RENAISSANCE

1. a book on the Renaissance
2. <the 19th-century literary renaissance that prompted people to refer to Boston as the Athens of America>

Origin of RENAISSANCE

French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use: 1845

Related to RENAISSANCE

Synonyms

golden age, belle epoque

Antonyms

dark age

Related Words

silver age; millennium; bloom, blossom, flower, flush, glory, heyday, prime, salad days; acme, apex, climax, meridian, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

Other History Terms

agonistic, carpetbagger, enceinte, fief, historiography, paladin

Rhymes with RENAISSANCE

à outrance, diligence, Fort-de-France, Mendès-France, ordonnance, par avance