chiaroscuro Hear it!

chiaroscuro definition

chia·ro·scuro (kē är′ə sko̵or′ō, -skyo̵or′-)

noun pl. chiaroscuros -·ros

  1. light and shade in a painting, drawing, etc. treated so as to produce the illusion of depth, a dramatic effect, etc.
  2. a style of painting, drawing, etc. emphasizing this
  3. a painting, drawing, etc. in which chiaroscuro is used

Etymology: It, lit., clear dark < L clarus, clear + obscurus, dark: see obscure

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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