rococo

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The Word of the Day for March 16 is:

rococo   \ruh-KOH-koh\   adjective
    *1 : of or relating to an artistic style especially of the 18th century 
characterized by fanciful curved asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation 
     2 : excessively ornate or intricate 

Example sentence:
      "While the lobby appears almost rococo, rooms are a study in spare, clean 
elegance...." (Jeff Morgan, _Wine Spectator_, October 15, 1996)

Did you know?
      In the 18th century, French artists rebelled against the ponderousness of 
Baroque style and began to create light, delicate interior decorations, 
furniture, and architectural elements characterized by fanciful curved 
asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation. The name of their new style, 
"rococo," has been traced to the French "rocaille," a term that evoked the 
ornamental use of rock and shell forms. In time, "rococo" was also applied to 
similarly ornamented and intimate styles of painting and music. But all 
fashions fade, and by the mid-1800s the rococo style was deemed excessively 
ornate and out-of-date. Now "rococo" is often used with mild disdain to 
describe the overly elaborate.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.





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