baroque
pronunciation
How to pronounce baroque in British English: UK [bəˈrəʊk]
How to pronounce baroque in American English: US [bəˈrok]
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- Noun:
- elaborate an extensive ornamentation in decorative art and architecture that flourished in Europe in the 17th century
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- Adjective:
- having elaborate symmetrical ornamentation
Word Origin
- baroque (adj.)
- 1765, from French baroque (15c.) "irregular," from Portuguese barroco "imperfect pearl," which is of uncertain origin, perhaps related to Spanish berruca "a wart."This style in decorations got the epithet of Barroque taste, derived from a word signifying pearls and teeth of unequal size. [Fuseli's translation of Winkelmann, 1765]Klein suggests the name may be from Italian painter Federigo Barocci (1528-1612), a founder of the style. How to tell baroque from rococo, according to Fowler: "The characteristics of baroque are grandeur, pomposity, and weight; those of rococo are inconsequence, grace, and lightness." But the two terms often used without distinction for styles featuring odd and excessive ornamentation.
Example
- 1. The show ends on a baroque high note .
- 2. Note the fine early baroque altar inside the chapel .
- 3. Last year 's showing at the mia of german baroque from dresden made no sense .
- 4. I would much rather look at these paintings than most other italian baroque works .
- 5. Since the crisis hit , switzerland has faced a baroque array of humiliations .