Antimediaeval

/ˌæntɪmiˈdiːvəl/ adjective

Definition

Opposed to or critical of medieval culture, practices, or values; hostile to the Middle Ages.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + mediaeval (alternative spelling of medieval, from Latin medius, middle + aevum, age). The term emerged in Renaissance and Enlightenment periods that rejected medieval thought.

Kelly Says

Renaissance scholars literally invented the word 'Middle Ages' as an insult—they called it the 'dark' ages from their antimediaeval perspective, not realizing they were describing some of humanity's most creative centuries.

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