silver age

[ sil-ver eyj ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the second of the four ages of humankind, inferior to the golden age but superior to the bronze age that followed: characterized by an increase of impiety and of human weakness.
2. (usually initial capital letters) a period in Latin literature, a.d. c14–138, following the Augustan Age: the second phase of Classical Latin. Compare golden age ( def 3 ).

silver age

noun

1. (in Greek and Roman mythology) the second of the world's major epochs, inferior to the preceding golden age and characterized by opulence and irreligion
2. the postclassical period of Latin literature, occupying the early part of the Roman imperial era, characterized by an overindulgence in elegance for its own sake and empty scholarly rhetoric

Word History and Origins

Origin of silver age¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

The thoughtful pianist Daniil Trifonov explores the music of Russia’s so-called “silver age” of the early 20th century on a fascinating album that offers various solo works and concertos by Scriabin, Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

From New York Times

In Kershaw’s estimation, the period between 1950 and 1973 was especially prosperous — a “golden age” or an “economic miracle” for the western part of the Continent, and even a “silver age” for the Communist bloc.

From New York Times

We live in a silver age, aesthetically as well as demographically.

From The Guardian

The movie was chock full of the kind of nutty cosmic content that made the silver age so popular, from giant blue frost giants to mystical artefacts and magical interplanetary pathways.

From The Guardian

But the audience for comics continued to grow through the 1960s — what fans call the silver age of Marvel — and beyond, and the form has shed most of its bad reputation.

From New York Times