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ren·ais·sance  (rĕnĭ-säns′, -zäns′, rĭ-nāsəns)
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Tweet n. 1. A rebirth or revival. 2. Renaissance a. The humanistic revival of classical art, architecture, literature, and learning that originated in Italy in the 14th century and later spread throughout Europe. b. The period of this revival, roughly the 14th through the 16th century, marking the transition from medieval to modern times. 3. oftenRenaissance a. A revival of intellectual or artistic achievement and vigor:the Celtic Renaissance. b. The period of such a revival. adj.Renaissance 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Renaissance or its artistic and intellectual works and styles. 2. Of or being the style of architecture and decoration, based on classical models, that originated in Italy in the 14th century and continued throughout Europe up to the end of the 16th century. [French, fromOld French, fromrenaistre, to be born again, fromVulgar Latin*renāscere, fromLatinrenāscī : re-, re- + nāscī, to be born; see genə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]  (click for a larger image)  (click for a larger image) Renaissancetop: Château de Chambord Chambord, France bottom: The Return of Judith to Bethulia, c. 1469, by Sandro Botticelli |
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