Roman architecture

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

A style of architecture, distinguished by its massive character and abundance of ornament, which combines the Greek orders with the use of the arch. It is largely a corruption of the Doric and Ionic.

Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)

Sources & notes

Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “Roman architecture” mean?

A style of architecture, distinguished by its massive character and abundance of ornament, which combines the Greek orders with the use of the arch. It is largely a corruption of the Doric and Ionic.

Is “Roman architecture” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.