n.1 the revival of art and literature under the influence of classical models in the 14th-16th c.
2 the period of this.
3 the culture and style of art, architecture, etc. developed during this era.
4 (renaissance) any similar revival.
Etymology: F renaissance (as RE-, F naissance birth f. L nascentia or F na{icirc}tre naiss- be born f. Rmc: cf. NASCENT)