biedermeier

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Word: Biedermeier

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The term "biedermeier" refers to a style of furniture and interior design that developed in Germany during the 19th century, particularly between 1815 and 1848. This style is known for its simplicity, functionality, and elegance, often using light woods and clean lines.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "biedermeier" when talking about furniture, art, or design styles from early 19th-century Germany.
• It can also describe a broader cultural aesthetic from that period.

Example Sentence:

• "The biedermeier furniture in the room featured smooth surfaces and understated beauty, making it both practical and stylish."

Advanced Usage:

• In art history, you might describe a painting or a room decor as "biedermeier" if it reflects the characteristics of this specific style, emphasizing simplicity and a focus on domestic life.

Word Variants:

• Noun: Biedermeier (can refer to the style itself: "This piece of furniture is an excellent example of Biedermeier.")
• Adverb: Biedermeierly (rarely used, but could describe something done in the style of Biedermeier: "She decorated her home biedermeierly.")

Different Meaning:

While "biedermeier" primarily refers to a style of furniture and design, it can also describe a cultural attitude during the time, which emphasized middle-class values, simplicity, and a focus on home life.

Synonyms:

• Neoclassical (in terms of style)
• Simple (when describing the elegance or minimalism of Biedermeier)

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "biedermeier." However, you might hear phrases like "less is more," which aligns with the Biedermeier philosophy of simplicity.

Academic

Adjective

1. of or relating to a style of furniture developed in Germany in the 19th century

Synonyms

• biedermeier