renaissance

renaissance [ren′ə säns΄, ren′əzäns΄; ren΄ə säns′, ren΄əzäns′; ] chiefly Brit [ ri nā′səns]

n.

[Fr < renaître, to be born anew < OFr renestre < re- + VL * nascere, for L nasci, to be born: see GENUS]

1. a new birth; rebirth; renascence

2.

a) [R-] the style and forms of art, literature, architecture, etc. of the Renaissance

b) [often R-] any revival of art, literature, or learning similar to the Renaissance

adj.

[R-]

1. of, characteristic of, or in the style of the Renaissance

2. designating or of a style of architecture developed in Italy and western Europe between 1400 and 1600, characterized by the revival and adaptation of classical orders and design

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the Renaissance

1. the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe in the 14th, 15th, and 16th cent., based on classical sources: it began in Italy and spread gradually to other countries and marked the transition from the medieval world to the modern

2. the period of this revival