medieval
UK: ˌmɛdɪˈiːv(ə)l | US: ˌmɛdiˈivəl
adj. relating to the Middle Ages (roughly 5th to 15th century)
adj. outdated or primitive in style or method
medieval = medi<middle> + ev<age> + al<adjective suffix>
- medi (from Latin medius, meaning "middle")
- ev (from Latin aevum, meaning "age" or "era")
- al (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives)
Etymology Origin:
The word "medieval" originates from the Latin phrase medium aevum ("middle age"), coined during the Renaissance to describe the period between classical antiquity and the Renaissance itself. The morpheme medi- preserves the "middle" concept, while -ev- (from aevum) anchors the temporal aspect. Over time, the term acquired connotations of being archaic or unsophisticated, reflecting Renaissance thinkers' view of the Middle Ages as a "dark" interval between two golden eras.
The castle is a fine example of medieval architecture.
His views on gender roles seem almost medieval.
Scholars study medieval manuscripts to understand historical literacy.
The plague was a defining tragedy of medieval Europe.
She specializes in medieval poetry and its cultural context.