rocaille

noun

ro·​caille rō-ˈkī How to pronounce rocaille (audio)
rä-
1
: a style of ornament developed in the 18th century and characterized by sinuous foliate forms
2
: rococo

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, stone debris, from Middle French roquailles, plural, rocky terrain, from roc rock, alteration of roche, from Vulgar Latin *rocca

First Known Use

circa 1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rocaille was circa 1810

Dictionary Entries Near rocaille

Roca, Cape

rocaille

rocambole

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Rocaille.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rocaille. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rocaille

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