Gothicism

American  

[goth-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈgɒθ əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. conformity or devotion to the gothic style in the arts.

2. the principles and techniques of the gothic style.

3. (sometimes lowercase) barbarism; crudeness.

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Gothicism British  

/ ˈɡɒθɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. conformity to, use of, or imitation of the Gothic style, esp in architecture

2. crudeness of manner or style

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Etymology

Origin of Gothicism

First recorded in 1700–10; Gothic ( def. ) + -ism

Example Sentences

And, "Gothicism, whatever it is, is not a literary tradition so much as a fairly realistic assessment of modern life."

From Time Magazine Archive

When the change came, it evinced that same blending of naturalism and Gothicism which defined the incipient romantic movement of the previous century.

From A History of English Romanticism in the Nineteenth Century by Beers, Henry A. (Henry Augustin)

Accordingly we find, on turning to "The Castle of Otranto," that, just as Walpole's Gothicism was an accidental "sport" from his general virtuosity; so his romanticism was a casual outgrowth of his architectural amusements.

From A History of English Romanticism in the Eighteenth Century by Beers, Henry A. (Henry Augustin)

This painting is an admirable example of his early art, before the Gothicism of the early Italian painters became his quest.

From Recollections of Dante Gabriel Rossetti by Caine, Hall, Sir

The book had been grand, if the Hebraism had been omitted, and the law stated without Gothicism, as ethics, and with that scope for ascension of state which the nature of things requires.

From Representative Men by Emerson, Ralph Waldo