Gothicism
/ˈɡɒθɪsɪzəm/noun
A style, attitude, or tendency associated with the Goths or with Gothic character and aesthetics.
Did you know?Although it now suggests gloom, architecture, or subculture, its deeper history begins with the Goths, a Germanic people whose name was later wrapped into “Gothic” and then into modern aesthetic and cultural labels.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*Gutaniz
“The Goths, a Germanic people”
Late Latin
Latin
Gothi
“The Goths”
Middle English
English
gothik
“Of or relating to the Goths; later, medieval-style architecture and art”
18th Century
English
Gothic
“Medieval, barbarous, or romantically dark in style or taste”
19th Century
English
gothicism
“Gothic character, style, or manner”