medievalism

or me·di·ae·val·ism

[ mee-dee-ee-vuh-liz-uhm, med-ee-, mid-ee-, mid-ee-vuh- ]

noun

1. the spirit, practices, or methods of the Middle Ages.
2. devotion to or adoption of medieval ideals or practices.
3. a medieval belief, practice, or the like.

medievalism

/ ˌmɛdɪˈiːvəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the beliefs, life, or style of the Middle Ages or devotion to those
2. a belief, custom, or point of style copied or surviving from the Middle Ages

Other Words From

• anti·medi·aeval·ism noun
• anti·medi·eval·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of medievalism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; medieval + -ism

Example Sentences

A country so energetic and advanced as Germany had clung, nevertheless, to many repellent principles of medievalism.

From Project Gutenberg

It is nothing to brag of, even if a man struggling against natural medievalism have entrenched himself in impressionist theory.

From Project Gutenberg

Julie and Suzanne followed von Arnheim to a stairway, and John was left alone with medievalism.

From Project Gutenberg

He excelled in rendering scenes of chivalry, of medievalism, and generally of the romantic aspects of the past.

From Project Gutenberg

He feared to offend a nation of readers reveling in the medievalism of Scott and Byron.

From Project Gutenberg