rocaille

ro·caille

noun \rō-ˈkī, rä-\

Definition of ROCAILLE

1

: a style of ornament developed in the 18th century and characterized by sinuous foliate forms

2

: rococo

Origin of ROCAILLE

French, literally, stone debris, from Middle French roquailles, plural, rocky terrain, from roc rock, alteration of roche, from Vulgar Latin *rocca

First Known Use: 1856

Rhymes with ROCAILLE

abseil, air mile, bass viol, black bile, Blue Nile, decile, erstwhile, exile, Fair Isle, field trial, gentile, high style, hostile, lifestyle, meanwhile, motile, nail file, New Style, old style, Old Style, on file, profile, redial, reptile, show trial, stockpile, time trial

rocaille

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In Western architecture and decorative arts, an 18th-century style featuring elaborately stylized shell-like, rocklike, flower, fern, and scroll motifs. Originally designating the fanciful shellwork of artificial grottoes, rocaille came to be synonymous with Louis XV style. It is most often found in small pieces of furniture and such personal articles as snuffboxes. The term “Rococo” combines “rocaille” and “barocco” (Baroque).