-esque
(from Proto-Germanic -iskaz, Vulgar Latin -iscus, Italian -esco, and then French -esque: a suffix forming adjuectives and indicating "resemblance, style, manner, or distinctive character, etc., of")
1. In ballet, a ballet position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended back and both arms stretched out, usually one forward and the other backward.
2. An intricate and often symmetrical design incorporating curves, geometric patterns, leaves, flowers, and animal shapes.
3. A piece of classical music characterized by decorative melodies, especially one written for solo piano.
4. From early 17th century via French from Italian arabesco "in the Arabian style".
2. An intricate and often symmetrical design incorporating curves, geometric patterns, leaves, flowers, and animal shapes.
3. A piece of classical music characterized by decorative melodies, especially one written for solo piano.
4. From early 17th century via French from Italian arabesco "in the Arabian style".
arboresque (adjective), more arboresque, most arboresque
1. Artistically similar to a tree; tree-like.
2. Resembling a tree in form and branching structure.
2. Resembling a tree in form and branching structure.
Bunyanesque (adjective), more Bunyanesque, most Bunyanesque
1. Of, relating to, or suggestive of the allegorical writings of John Bunyan.
2. Of astonishingly large size: “Bunyanesque waves...crunched homes and municipal piers into little more than kindling wood.”
3. Of immense size or stature, as ascribed to Paul Bunyan or to the other characters, exploits, etc., in the legends about him.
2. Of astonishingly large size: “Bunyanesque waves...crunched homes and municipal piers into little more than kindling wood.”
3. Of immense size or stature, as ascribed to Paul Bunyan or to the other characters, exploits, etc., in the legends about him.
1. A literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style.
2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a burlesque of justice.
3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.
4. The ludicrous or mocking treatment of a solemn subject. 5. From French, comical, from Italian burlesco, from burla, "joke", probably from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burrae, "nonsense", from burra, "wool".
2. A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty: The antics of the defense attorneys turned the trial into a burlesque of justice.
3. A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.
4. The ludicrous or mocking treatment of a solemn subject. 5. From French, comical, from Italian burlesco, from burla, "joke", probably from Spanish, from Vulgar Latin burrula, diminutive of Late Latin burrae, "nonsense", from burra, "wool".
centauresque (adjective), more centauresque, most centauresque
Descriptive of the style of a centaur or a creature in ancient Greek stories with the head, arms, and chest of a man, and the body and legs of a horse.
gigantesque (adjective), more gigantesque, most gigantesque
1. Relating to an enormous size or magnitude; huge; of or suited to be a giant.
2. Descriptive of a behemoth, extremely large.
2. Descriptive of a behemoth, extremely large.
gorgonesque (adjective), more gorgonesque, most gorgonesque
Relating to the characteristics of a gorgon; hideous, repulsive: Any of three winged sister monsters and the mortal Medusa who had live snakes for hair and a glance at her turned the beholder into stone.
grotesque (adjective), more grotesque; most grotesque
1. Characterized by ludicrous or incongruous distortion, as with appearance or manner: For Halloween, Jack dressed up in the most grotesque way possible because he wanted to look weird, freakish, and bizarre.
2. Relating to a technique of sculpture, painting, and adornment in art whereas pure forms and outrageous figures are interlaced and blended into wild and fantastic combinations: When Marie read the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, she was fascinated by the grotesque depiction of the Minotaur with the body of a bull and a human head with horns.
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2. Relating to a technique of sculpture, painting, and adornment in art whereas pure forms and outrageous figures are interlaced and blended into wild and fantastic combinations: When Marie read the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, she was fascinated by the grotesque depiction of the Minotaur with the body of a bull and a human head with horns.
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1. A musical composition of humorous, unpredictable, or impulsive character.
2. A light or whimsical piece of music; especially, from the 19th-century.
2. A light or whimsical piece of music; especially, from the 19th-century.
Leonardesque (adjective), more Leonardesque, most Leonardesque
Pertaining to, or suggesting Leonardo da Vinci or the style of his paintings.
Lincolnesque (adjective), more Lincolnesque, most Lincolnesque
Like or characteristic of Abraham Lincoln: A Lincolnesque compassion and desire to help those who are treated like slaves is one example of his character and desire to provide them with freedom and equal rights.
naturalesque (adjective), more naturalesque, most naturalesque
A reference to the close imitation of or adherence to the physical world: Nancy found some naturalesque designs of beautiful butterflies which she hung in her bedroom at home.
picturesque (adjective), more picturesque, most picturesque
1. Descriptive of or suggesting, or suitable for a picture: William and Susan saw the picturesque rocky shores of the coast of California.
2. A reference to a strikingly graphic, vivid, expressive; creating detailed mental images: A picturesque language is one example.
3. Conveying something that is visually charming or quaint, as if resembling or suitable for a painting: Peter and Lydia saw a picturesque fishing village while they were in Spain.
4. Pertaining to something that is pleasing or which has interesting qualities; strikingly effective in presentation.
2. A reference to a strikingly graphic, vivid, expressive; creating detailed mental images: A picturesque language is one example.
3. Conveying something that is visually charming or quaint, as if resembling or suitable for a painting: Peter and Lydia saw a picturesque fishing village while they were in Spain.
4. Pertaining to something that is pleasing or which has interesting qualities; strikingly effective in presentation.
picturesquely (adjective), more picturesquely, most picturesquely
Resembling or descriptive of a picture or painting.
Romanesque (adjective), more Romanesque, most Romanesque
1. A reference to the style of architecture developed in Italy and western Europe between the Roman and the Gothic styles after 1000 AD: The Romanesque images are characterized by round arches and vaults and by the substitution of piers for columns and profuse ornaments and arcades.
2. Characteristic of or relating to the style of European painting, sculpture, or decorative arts contemporary with Romanesque architecture: Romanesque works of art show a Byzantine influence and often feature elaborate ornamentation.
2. Characteristic of or relating to the style of European painting, sculpture, or decorative arts contemporary with Romanesque architecture: Romanesque works of art show a Byzantine influence and often feature elaborate ornamentation.
Showing page 1 out of 2 pages of 21 main-word entries or main-word-entry groups.