Word of the Day

: March 16, 2007

rococo

adjective ruh-KOH-koh

What It Means

1 : of or relating to an artistic style especially of the 18th century characterized by fanciful curved asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation

2 : excessively ornate or intricate

rococo in Context

"While the lobby appears almost rococo, rooms are a study in spare, clean elegance. . .." (Jeff Morgan, Wine Spectator, October 15, 1996)

Did You Know?

In the 18th century, French artists rebelled against the ponderousness of Baroque style and began to create light, delicate interior decorations, furniture, and architectural elements characterized by fanciful curved asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation. The name of their new style, "rococo," has been traced to the French "rocaille," a term that evoked the ornamental use of rock and shell forms. In time, "rococo" was also applied to similarly ornamented and intimate styles of painting and music. But all fashions fade, and by the mid-1800s the rococo style was deemed excessively ornate and out-of-date. Now "rococo" is often used with mild disdain to describe the overly elaborate.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.