Gothic
/ˈɡɒθ.ɪk/noun
Relating to the Goths, or to a medieval architectural and artistic style characterized by pointed arches and ornate detail.
Did you know?The word first became a term of insult in Renaissance Italy, where critics used “Gothic” to mock medieval art as the work of barbarian Goths.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*Gutôz
“The Goths, an East Germanic people”
Late Latin
Latin
Gothicus
“Pertaining to the Goths”
16th Century
Italian
gotico
“Originally a disparaging label for medieval art and architecture”
16th Century
French
gothique
“Gothic; medieval-style”
Late 16th Century
English
gothic
“Relating to the Goths; later, medieval architecture and art”
18th-19th Century
English
Gothic
“A revived aesthetic of medievalism, then a literary and emotional style”