Rococo


noun
1.
a style of architecture and decoration, originating in France about 1720, evolved from Baroque types and distinguished by its elegant refinement in using different materials for a delicate overall effect and by its ornament of shellwork, foliage, etc.
2.
a homophonic musical style of the middle 18th century, marked by a generally superficial elegance and charm and by the use of elaborate ornamentation and stereotyped devices.
adjective
3.
(initial capital letter) Fine Arts.

noting or pertaining to a style of painting developed simultaneously with the rococo in architecture and decoration, characterized chiefly by smallness of scale, delicacy of color, freedom of brushwork, and the selection of playful subjects as thematic material.
designating a corresponding style of sculpture, chiefly characterized by diminutiveness of Baroque forms and playfulness of theme.

4.
of, pertaining to, in the manner of, or suggested by rococo architecture, decoration, or music or the general atmosphere and spirit of the rococo:
rococo charm.
5.
ornate or florid in speech, literary style, etc.
noun (often capital)
1.
a style of architecture and decoration that originated in France in the early 18th century, characterized by elaborate but graceful, light, ornamentation, often containing asymmetrical motifs
2.
an 18th-century style of music characterized by petite prettiness, a decline in the use of counterpoint, and extreme use of ornamentation
3.
any florid or excessively ornamental style
adjective
4.
denoting, being in, or relating to the rococo
5.
florid or excessively elaborate
rococo [(ruh-koh-koh, roh-kuh-koh)]

A style of baroque art and architecture popular in Europe during the eighteenth century, characterized by flowing lines and elaborate decoration.

jargon, abuse
Baroque in the extreme. Used to imply that a program has become so encrusted with the software equivalent of gold leaf and curlicues that they have completely swamped the underlying design. Called after the later and more extreme forms of Baroque architecture and decoration prevalent during the mid-1700s in Europe. Alan Perlis said: “Every program eventually becomes rococo, and then rubble.”
Compare critical mass.
[Jargon File]
(1996-04-06)

Read Also:

  • Rod

    noun 1. a stick, wand, staff, or the like, of wood, metal, or other material. 2. a straight, slender shoot or stem of any woody plant, whether still growing or cut from the plant. 3. fishing rod. 4. (in plastering or mortaring) a straightedge moved along screeds to even the plaster between them. 5. a […]

  • Rod-bolt

    noun 1. a long, double-ended bolt.

  • Rod cell

    rod cell n. Any of various cylindrically-shaped cells in the retina that respond to dim light.

  • Rodded

    adjective 1. made of or fitted with rods. noun 1. a stick, wand, staff, or the like, of wood, metal, or other material. 2. a straight, slender shoot or stem of any woody plant, whether still growing or cut from the plant. 3. fishing rod. 4. (in plastering or mortaring) a straightedge moved along screeds […]

  • Roddick

    noun 1. Anita. 1942–2007, British entrepreneur, founder (1976) of the Body Shop chain, selling natural beauty and health products


Disclaimer: Rococo definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.