gothic

gothic · adjective¹

From goth + -ic, see Gothic.

Gothic · proper noun, adjective, noun²

1. Gothic · derived from*𐌲𐌿𐍄𐌰
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromΓότθοι“Goths”
3. Ancient Greek · derived fromΓοτθικός
4. Late Latin · derived fromgothicus“Gothic, barbaric”
5. English todayGothic

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.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 1611 Of or relating to the Goths or their language.
• from 1640s Of or relating to the architectural style favored in Western Europe in the 12th to 16th centuries, with high-pointed arches, clustered columns, etc.
• from early 19th c. Of or relating to the style of fictional writing associated with Gothic fiction, emphasizing violent or macabre events in a mysterious, desolate setting.
• from 1980s Of or relating to the goth subculture, music or lifestyle.