antic

views updated May 17 2018

antic.
1. Grotesque ornamental representation of human, animal, and floral forms bizarrely mingled.

2. Deliberately monstrous, fantastic, and caricatured ornamental representations of fauna and flora used in decorations.

3. Caryatid(e) or other humanoid representation, but incongruously formed and inappropriately positioned.

4. Distorted, leering mask, suggesting the irrational, wild nature, and the realm of unreason.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

antic

views updated May 29 2018

antic (arch.) grotesque, fantastic; sb. †fantastic or grotesque figure, clown; ludicrous gesture or posture XVI. — It. antico ANTIQUE, used as synon. with grottesco GROTESQUE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

antic

views updated May 29 2018

an·tic / ˈantik/ • adj. poetic/lit. grotesque or bizarre.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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