medieval

or me·di·ae·val

[ mee-dee-ee-vuhl, med-ee-, mid-ee-, mid-ee-vuhl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or in the style of the Middle Ages: Compare Middle Ages.

   medieval architecture.

2. Informal. extremely old-fashioned; primitive.

medieval

/ ˌmɛdɪˈiːvəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or in the style of the Middle Ages
2. informal.
   old-fashioned; primitive

medieval

1. A descriptive term for people, objects, events, and institutions of the Middle Ages .

Notes

“Medieval” is sometimes used as a term of disapproval for outdated ideas and customs. It may suggest inhuman practices, such as torture of prisoners. ( See Inquisition .)

Derived Forms

• ˌmediˈevally, adverb

Other Words From

• medi·eval·ly adverb
• anti·medi·eval adjective
• anti·medi·eval·ly adverb
• postme·di·eval adjective
• pseudo·medi·eval adjective
• pseudo·medi·eval·ly adverb
• quasi-medi·eval adjective
• unme·di·eval adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of medieval¹

1820–30; < New Latin medi ( um ) aev ( um ) the middle age + -al ¹. See medium, age

Word History and Origins

Origin of medieval¹

C19: from New Latin medium aevum the middle age. See medium , age

Example Sentences

The painter was well-versed in ancient literature and philosophy, and he was instrumental in establishing a new European idea of art as a living, evolving, intellectual activity, following centuries of craft-based medieval practice.

From Los Angeles Times

I should add that Jefferson greatly admired the medieval world before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 ended Anglo-Saxon rule.

From Salon

The teashop occupies a medieval building that was, for centuries, an alms house.

From BBC

"We're taking this out and drawing insulin out of a glass vial or bottle - it was pretty brutal. I thought that this was medieval, there must be a better way."

From BBC

Historical records allude to cities in the region, he said, but the team did not expect to find a 12-hectare medieval city some 2,200m above sea level.

From BBC

Related Words

• antique
• archaic
• feudal
• Gothic
• primitive