renaissance
Definitions
(the Renaissance) The great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe from the 14th to 17th centuries.
（the Renaissance）文艺复兴；14至17世纪欧洲艺术、文学与学术的大复兴。
(lowercase) Any revival or renewed interest in something.
（小写）复兴，再度兴起；对某事物重新燃起的兴趣。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrench re- (again) + naissance (birth, from Latin nāscī) = "rebirth." Europe's Renaissance was its culture being born a second time — reawakening to classical art and ideas after the Middle Ages. In lowercase, any field can have a renaissance: a revival, a fresh blooming after a quiet stretch.
Root nat still carries 44 more wordsWhy It Means This
The word came into English through French, which is why it ends in -aissance rather than a Latin form. Its meaning is wonderfully concrete once you split it: re + naissance is literally "re-birth." That's why we capitalize the historical Renaissance (a specific reawakening) but use a small r for any modern revival.
Common Collocations
- 1.the Renaissance文艺复兴
- 2.Renaissance art文艺复兴艺术
- 3.a cultural renaissance文化复兴
- 4.experience a renaissance经历一场复兴
- 5.Renaissance man文艺复兴式的全才
Example Sentences
- 1.
Leonardo da Vinci embodied the spirit of the Renaissance.
- 2.
The neighborhood is enjoying a renaissance, with new cafés and galleries opening.
- 3.
Vinyl records have undergone a remarkable renaissance among young listeners.