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baroque Definition

ba·roque (bə rōk)

adjective

    1. of, characteristic of, or like a style of art and architecture characterized by much ornamentation and curved rather than straight lines
    2. of, characteristic of, or like a style of music characterized by highly embellished melodies and fugal or contrapuntal forms
  1. designating or of the period in which these styles flourished (c. 1600-1750)
  2. fantastically overdecorated; gaudily ornate
  3. irregular in shape: said of pearls

Etymology: Fr, orig., irregular < Port barroco, imperfect pearl

noun

the period of the Baroque style of art

baroque Synonyms

baroque

modif.

baroque Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • play: I was taught to draw all the 16 ' and 8's and a 4 ' if I wanted to play baroque.
  • seem: One which may seem downright baroque is to use the venerable old UUCP.
  • become: Once prediction is the only criterion for program design, software architecture tends to become rather baroque.
  • include: The collection includes the two earliest extant baroque trumpets, made in Basel in 1578 by Jacob Steiger.
  • feature: The ashlar Recreation Hall occupies a central position in the grounds and features an Edwardian baroque gabled frontage to the south.

Adjective modifier

  • Italian: They seem closer to Poussin, Caravaggio and the Italian Baroque than any Dutch artist.
  • early: The collection includes the two earliest extant baroque trumpets, made in Basel in 1578 by Jacob Steiger.
  • more: The play, like the Festival, is considered to be in many ways more baroque than classical.
  • French: It consists of music of the French Baroque dating from a period c.1660 to c.1760.
  • English: Another early influence was the verse anthem of the English baroque, in which florid solos alternated with slightly more sedate choruses.
  • high: Both have some stunning architecture including 18th century high Baroque to 19th century imperial projects.

Modifies a noun

  • violin: Revised version for baroque violin premiered by Mieko Kanno, Conway Hall, London, 7 May 1999.
  • cello: Now principal cellist with The Academy of Ancient Music, she also teaches baroque cello at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama.
  • lute: Trios from the baroque lute repertoire, Guitar 1 being a little harder than the others.
  • oboe: She specializes in the baroque oboe, and teaches the instrument at several centers of music.
  • palace: To stay at the Hotel Ritz is to step inside a baroque palace, an experience you won't forget.
  • facade: The imposing baroque facade of no 35 dates from 1842 and is made from Bath stone which is crumbling because of pollution.

Noun used with modifier

  • century: Appuldurcombe House is the impressive shell of a grand 18th century baroque style stately home of the Worsley family.
  • freshwater: Featuring white cultured freshwater baroque pearls threaded with pink thread and a 9 carat gold clasp.

Browse dictionary entries near baroque

  1. barony
  2. baronne
  3. baronial
  4. barong
  5. baronetcy
  6. baronetage
  7. baronet
  8. baroness
  9. baronage
  10. baron
  1. baroreceptor
  2. baroscope
  3. barouche
  4. barque
  5. barquette
  6. Barquisimeto
  7. Barr, Alfred Hamilton,Jr
  8. Barr body
  9. Barrès
  10. barrack