What does renascence mean?
Renascence means a revival or rebirth, especially the renewed flourishing of art, learning, and culture associated with the European Renaissance. It can also describe the return of an earlier tradition, idea, or creative movement after a period of decline or neglect. The word has an elevated, historical, and literary tone, so it is less usual in everyday speech than revival or rebirth. A writer might use it to emphasize a meaningful cultural or intellectual renewal: “The festival became a renascence of traditional music.” In modern usage, renaissance is the more common choice, particularly when referring directly to the fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European period, while renascence often lends itself to more specialized or figurative descriptions. The term is valuable because it captures not merely continuation but transformation: something once dormant becomes active and creative again.
nounA revival or rebirth, especially the cultural and intellectual revival associated with the Renaissance. The word is also used more generally for a renewed period of growth or flourishing.
- A revival or rebirth, particularly of a culture, tradition, or creative movement.
- A renewed period of growth, activity, or intellectual interest.
"The exhibition traced the renascence of the city's neglected artistic traditions."
"The scholar described the renascence of classical studies in fifteenth-century Italy."
"Their restoration of the neglected building marked a surprising renascence in public interest."
The plural is grammatical but uncommon in ordinary use.
"The study explored several cultural renascences in the region."
Renascence is the Renaissance reborn: a word for the return of art, learning, and vitality after a period of decline.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does renascence come from?
Renascence derives from the Latin renascent-, meaning “being born again,” from renasci, “to be born again.” Its development is closely associated with the English word renaissance, which was borrowed from French during the period of European cultural revival. The shared root recalls the broader Latin family of nasci, “to be born,” which also underlies nascent and resurgence.
Related word forms
How renascence is actually used
Renascence is formal and relatively uncommon. In modern writing, renaissance is usually preferred for the historical period or a broad cultural revival, while renascence may be used for a more specific or figurative revival.