Gothic atmosphere
- noun
- Literature
:
atmósfera gótica
- The old mansion had a Gothic atmosphere, with its towering spires and dark, shadowy corners.
Examples
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Zola's novel incorporates a number of themes found in these stories, notably that of being buried alive, which functions as a metaphor for the repression of life energy, as mentioned above, but also contributes importantly to the novel's gothic atmosphere.
Academic text (2001) -
Cabarrus's body is framed by a pillar supporting an archway on the left and the edges of a craggy stone wall on the right, adding a note of Gothic atmosphere.
Academic text (2011) -
The film's Gothic atmosphere was enhanced by its dim lighting and haunting musical score.
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As she walked through the ancient castle, the Gothic atmosphere made her feel as though she had stepped back in time.
Synonyms
20
3.6
Low light or darkness that makes a place feel sad
11
1.0
A deep, strong color often used in cloth or paint
A creepy feeling like a ghost might be near
Antonyms
How Gothic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a dark, mysterious, and eerie mood' is directly and predictably composed from 'gothic' (evoking gloom and mystery) + 'atmosphere' (emotional tone), so a learner who knows both words can infer the MWE. This follows ordinary adjective+noun semantics and parallels similar constructions in other languages, making it readily comprehensible to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Gothic atmosphere comes from old stone churches and ruined castles with high arches, deep shadows and candlelight. People called these places Gothic, and writers used them to create a 'dark', 'mysterious' and 'eerie' atmosphere, so Gothic atmosphere now means that kind of feeling.