mediaevalism

A scholar studies mediaevalism in a library.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Study or devotion to the Middle Ages: "Mediaevalism" refers to the scholarly study, admiration, or revival of the culture, art, literature, and institutions of the Middle Ages (roughly 5th to 15th centuries).
   • A characteristic or trait of the Middle Ages: It can also denote a quality, custom, or belief that is typical of the medieval period, such as feudalism or chivalry.
   • A movement in art or literature: In a historical context, it describes the 19th-century revival of medieval styles and themes, especially in architecture (e.g., Gothic Revival) and Romantic literature.

Usage Examples

• (The study of medieval influences in 19th-century verse.)
• (A revival or imitation of medieval building styles.)
• (The use of medieval themes or settings in contemporary fiction.)

Advanced Usage

• "Mediaevalism as a cultural critique": The use of medieval ideals to critique modern society.
  • The author's mediaevalism serves as a nostalgic rejection of industrialization. (A preference for medieval values over modern ones.)
• "Mediaevalism in historiography": The approach to history that emphasizes medieval studies as a distinct field.
  • The rise of mediaevalism in the 19th century helped establish medieval history as a serious academic discipline. (The growth of scholarly focus on the Middle Ages.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mediaevalist (n): a person who studies or admires the Middle Ages.
  • She is a renowned mediaevalist specializing in illuminated manuscripts. (A scholar of medieval studies.)
• Mediaeval (adj): relating to the Middle Ages (alternative spelling of "medieval").
  • The mediaeval castle was built in the 13th century. (Belonging to the medieval period.)
• Mediaevalism (n): also spelled "medievalism" (the preferred modern spelling).

Synonyms

• Medievalism: the standard modern spelling of the same concept.
• Gothic revival: a specific 19th-century movement in architecture and art that revived medieval Gothic styles.
• Chivalric romanticism: a focus on the knightly and romantic ideals of the Middle Ages.

Related Idioms

• "To wallow in mediaevalism": to excessively indulge in or romanticize medieval themes.
  • The film seems to wallow in mediaevalism, ignoring historical accuracy for dramatic effect. (To overly focus on medieval aesthetics without critical analysis.)
• "Mediaevalism of the mind": a mindset characterized by outdated or feudal thinking.
  • His rigid hierarchy at work is a form of mediaevalism of the mind. (An anachronistic or backward way of thinking.)