classicalism
|clas-sic-al-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˈklæsɪsɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈklæsɪsɪz(ə)m/
preference for classical style
Etymology
'classicalism' originates from Modern English, formed by the adjective 'classical' + the suffix '-ism'; 'classical' comes via Old French 'classique' from Latin 'classicus', where 'classicus' related to 'classis' meaning 'a class or division'.
'classicalism' developed in English by attaching the productive suffix '-ism' to 'classical' (from Middle English 'classical' < Middle French 'classique' < Latin 'classicus'); earlier roots lie in Latin 'classicus' (of a class) and 'classis' (class).
Initially connected to the notion of 'belonging to a class' (Latin), the sense shifted through 'classical' to denote the styles of ancient Greece and Rome; over time 'classicalism' came to mean both the emulation of those styles and a general preference for their aesthetic principles.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
adherence to the principles, forms, and ideals of classical art, literature, or music (especially those of ancient Greece and Rome), emphasizing order, clarity, balance, and restraint.
The museum's collection reflects a strong classicalism, with many works inspired by ancient models.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a movement or tendency that revives or imitates classical styles and subjects (for example, 18th-century neoclassical movements in art and architecture).
During the 18th century, classicalism influenced architecture and painting across Europe.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 3
a general preference for established, conventional forms and rules in art, scholarship, or taste — often implying conservatism in aesthetic judgment.
His classicalism led him to favor formal structure over free expression in poetry.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/21 00:31