Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Pre-Raphaelite

noun Pre-Ra·pha·el·ite \ (ˌ)prē-ˈra-fē-ə-ˌlīt , -ˈrā- , -ˈrä- \

Definition of Pre-Raphaelite

1 a : a member of a brotherhood of artists formed in England in 1848 to restore the artistic principles and practices regarded as characteristic of Italian art before Raphael
b : an artist or writer influenced by this brotherhood
2 : a modern artist dedicated to restoring early Renaissance ideals or methods
—

Pre-Raphaelite

adjective
—

Pre-Raphaelitism

play \(ˌ)prē-ˈra-fē-ə-ˌlī-ˌti-zəm, -ˈrā-, -ˈrä-\ noun

First Known Use of pre-raphaelite

1850

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about pre-raphaelite

  1. See words that rhyme with Pre-Raphaelite

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Pre-Raphaelite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games