Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Romanesque architecture

Romanesque architecture

8.9
A European building style from after 1000 with round arches, high curved ceilings, and thick walls often seen in churches
  • noun
  • /ˌroʊməˈnɛsk ˌɑrkɪˈtɛkʧər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arquitectura románica
  • Visitors to the museum can admire several models showcasing Romanesque architecture from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Examples

  • The church is a stunning example of Romanesque architecture, featuring thick walls and rounded arches.

  • The Nun's Church, a gem of Irish Romanesque architecture, was completed in 1167.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Many castles in France display the distinct elements of Romanesque architecture, including vaulted ceilings and decorative carvings.

Synonyms

Romanesque
vsRomanesque architecture
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A style of building used for churches with rounded arches and thick walls in medieval Europe

is the same meaning but expressed as the full phrase rather than the short term

How Ornate

baroque
6 8.1
Romanesque architecture
  • Specialized
8.9

Surface Forms

Romanesque architecture singular
Romanesque architectures plural

Morphology

Romanesque + architecture

This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'Romanesque' names a particular style and 'architecture' names building design, so together they mean 'architecture in the Romanesque style.' The relation follows a common pattern (style + domain) that is cross-linguistically regular, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reliably infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Romanesque architecture comes from builders in the Middle Ages copying the look of old Roman buildings, especially their round arches and heavy walls. So 'Romanesque' means 'in the Roman way', and today the phrase describes the medieval style with round arches, thick walls, and big towers.