FromLate Latingothicus(“Gothic,barbaric”), fromAncient GreekΓοτθικός(Gotthikós), fromAncient GreekΓότθοι(Gótthoi,“Goths”) +-ικός(-ikós,“-ic”), proposed to derive from unattestedGothic*𐌲𐌿𐍄𐌰(*guta). Equivalent toGoth +-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 tothe 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.
Enormities which gleam like comets through the darkness ofgothic and superstitious ages.
(architecture) Of or relating to thearchitectural style favored inWestern Europe in the 12th to 16th centuries, with high-pointed arches, clustered columns, etc.[from 1640s]
1944 January and February, C. F. Cobon, “The County of London Plan”, inRailway Magazine, page24:
Or does the L.C.C. [London County Council] dislike nineteenth centuryGothic?
2000, Paul Frankl, Paul Crossley,Gothic Architecture, Yale University Press,→ISBN, page258:
TheGothic style did not cease to exist: it did, however, cease to be all-powerful, and it almost ceased to create new forms.Gothic architects had by this time drawn every possible conclusion from the premises which had been laid down[…]
1975, John V. Murphy,The Dark Angel: Gothic Elements in Shelley's Works, Bucknell University Press,→ISBN, page 9:
Shelley's two early novelsZastrozzi andSt. Irvyne are, as many scholars have noted, obviously connected to the tradition of theGothic novel; as well, two volumes of early poetry containGothic elements and his tragedyThe Cenci has been[…]
Gothic language on Wikipedia.Wikipedia