Gothic
proper nounadjectivenounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɡɒθ.ɪk//
- United States//ˈɡɑ.θɪk//
An extinct Germanic language, once spoken by the Goths.
proper noun
- 1
An extinct Germanic language, once spoken by the Goths.
- 2
Certain moths of the family Noctuidae.
- 3
A particular species of moth of the family Noctuidae, Naenia typica.
Etymology
From Late Latin gothicus (“Gothic, barbaric”), from Ancient Greek Γοτθικός (Gotthikós), from Ancient Greek Γότθοι (Gótthoi, “Goths”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic”), proposed to derive from unattested Gothic *𐌲𐌿𐍄𐌰 (*guta). Equivalent to Goth + -ic. The various usages of the adjective are introduced nearly simultaneously in the first half of the 17th century. The literal meaning “of the Goths” is found in the 1611 preface of the King James Bible, in reference to the Gothicke tongue. The generalized meaning of “Germanic, Teutonic” appears in the 1640s. Reference to the medieval period in Western Europe, and specifically the architecture of that period (“barbaric style”, initially a term of abuse), also appears in the 1640s, as does reference to “Gothic characters” or “Gothic letters” in typography.
adjective
- 1
Of or relating to the Goths or their language.
- 2
figurativeBarbarous, rude, unpolished, belonging to the “Dark Ages”, medieval as opposed to classical.
“[W]hat he holds of all things to be most gothic, is gallantry to the women.”
Enormities which gleam like comets through the darkness of gothic and superstitious ages.
- 3
Of or relating to the architectural style favored in Western Europe in the 12th to 16th centuries, with high-pointed arches, clustered columns, etc.
Gothic arches
Or does the L.C.C. [London County Council] dislike nineteenth century Gothic?
The Gothic style did not cease to exist: it did, however, cease to be all-powerful, and it almost ceased to create new forms. Gothic architects had by this time drawn every possible conclusion from the premises which had been laid down […]
- 4
Of or relating to the style of fictional writing associated with Gothic fiction, emphasizing violent or macabre events in a mysterious, desolate setting.
Gothic tales
Shelley's two early novels Zastrozzi and St. Irvyne are, as many scholars have noted, obviously connected to the tradition of the Gothic novel; as well, two volumes of early poetry contain Gothic elements and his tragedy The Cenci has been […]
- 5
Synonym of black letter.
Gothic letters
- 6
Of a sans serif typeface using straight, even-width lines, also known as grotesque or lineal.
- 7
Of or relating to the goth subculture, music or lifestyle.
Gothic rock
Gothic dress
Why is this gothic glam so popular?
noun
- 1
A novel written in the Gothic style.
One hundred fifty Gothics sold over 1.5 million copies a month last spring.
Forms
- plural
- Gothics
- comparative
- more Gothic
- superlative
- most Gothic
Gothic · An extinct Germanic language, once spoken by the Goths.
gots · Has, has got (3rd person singular).gotta · Synonym of have got to, have togotten · Obtained, acquired.