Jacobean
Americanadjective
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of or relating to James I of England or to his period.
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noting or pertaining to the style of architecture and furnishings prevailing in England in the first half of the 17th century, continuing the Elizabethan style with a gradual introduction of Italian models in architecture and increased elaboration of forms and motifs in furnishings.
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of or relating to the style of literature and drama produced during the early 17th century.
noun
adjective
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history characteristic of or relating to James I of England or to the period of his rule (1603–25)
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of or relating to the style of furniture current at this time, characterized by the use of dark brown carved oak
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denoting, relating to, or having the style of architecture used in England during this period, characterized by a combination of late Gothic and Palladian motifs
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Jacobean
First recorded in 1750–60; from New Latin Jacobae(us) “of Jacobus ” (Latinized form of James ) + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The instrumental consort—three viols, two violins, harpsichord and lute/theorbo—offered an invigorating collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean hits by such contemporaneous composers as William Brade, William Lawes, John Dowland and Anthony Holborne.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025
He got into the Old Vic, where he was trained in Jacobean Shakespeare.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2025
A Jacobean mansion and a concert venue in a Baroque church are among 26 sites across London to be added to Historic England's at-risk register.
From BBC • Nov. 14, 2024
They will never be equals, however; Jago makes this brutally clear when they violate Jacobean society’s cardinal rule: Don’t get caught.
From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2021
I spent all my time in the library, reading the Jacobean dramatists.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
