picturesque etymology

Etymology

  • Latin: pictoresque ("worthy of being painted")
  • French: picturesque
  • English: picturesque

Meaning

1. Relating to or characteristic of a picture or painting:

  • A picturesque landscape
  • A picturesque cottage

2. Pleasing to the eye, especially in a way that resembles a painting:

  • A picturesque view
  • A picturesque town

3. Quaint or charming:

  • A picturesque old street
  • A picturesque village

Origin

The term "picturesque" originated in the 17th century as a way to describe landscapes that were considered to be visually appealing. The word was first used in English in 1663, and it was popularized by the writings of the 18th-century English writer William Gilpin. Gilpin believed that the most beautiful landscapes were those that resembled paintings, and he developed a theory of the picturesque that was based on the principles of composition and perspective.

In the 19th century, the term "picturesque" was applied to a wider range of subjects, including architecture, interiors, and gardens. It was also used to describe a style of photography that emphasized the use of natural light and composition. Today, the term "picturesque" continues to be used to describe anything that is visually pleasing or charming.

picturesque relate terms

  • painter

    Etymology Old English pēohtor Proto West Germanic paintiō Proto Germanic paintiō

  • paint

    Etymology of paint The English word paint originates from the Old French word peint

  • statuesque

    Etymology Statue from Latin statua A sculpture representing a human figure in a

  • statue

    Etymology The word statue originates from the Italian word statua which in turn com

  • picturesque

    Etymology Latin pictoresque worthy of being painted French picturesque English pi

  • depict

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces the h

  • file

    Etymology File originates from the Middle English word filen which itself derives fro

  • paint

    Etymology of paint The English word paint originates from the Old French word peint

  • pictogram

    Etymology Picto Latin painted Gramma Greek letter Meaning A pictogram is

  • pictograph

    Etymology Pictograph is a compound word derived from two Latin roots Pictus Mea

  • pictorial

    Pictorial Etymology Pictorial etymology is the study of the origins of words through visu

  • picture

    Etymology The word picture comes from the Latin word pictura meaning painting or pi

  • picturesque

    Etymology Latin pictoresque worthy of being painted French picturesque English pi

  • pigment

    Etymology and Origin The term pigment comes from the Latin word pigmentum which mean

  • pimento

    Etymology and Origin The word pimento has multiple etymologies Spanish pimiento

  • pint

    Etymology The word pint comes from the Old French word pinte which in turn comes fro

  • pinto

    Etymology The word pinto is derived from the Spanish word pintado which means pain

  • graphic

    Graphic Etymology Graphic etymology refers to the study of the origins and development of

  • landscaping

    Etymology The term landscaping is derived from the Old English word landscype which

  • promulgate

    Etymology The word promulgate is derived from the Latin word promulgare which means

  • root

    Etymology The word root derives from the Old English word rōt which is of Germanic

  • local

    Local Etymology Local etymology refers to the origins and evolution of words within a spe

  • Philadelphia

    Etymology and Meaning of Philadelphia The name Philadelphia is derived from the Greek

  • caterpillar

    Etymology The word caterpillar has its origins in Old French where it was known as ch

  • profane

    Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem

  • acolyte

    Etymology From Middle English acolite from Old French acolit from Ecclesiastical Lati

  • desultory

    Etymology The word desultory originates from the Latin word desultor which means v