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chiaroscuro - 4 dictionary results

chi⋅a⋅ro⋅scu⋅ro

  [kee-ahr-uh-skyoor-oh]
Use chiaroscuro in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ros.
1. the distribution of light and shade in a picture.
2. Painting. the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, esp. to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect: Rembrandt is a master of chiaroscuro.
3. a woodcut print in which the colors are produced by the use of different blocks with different colors.
4. a sketch in light and shade.
Origin:
1680–90; < It, equiv. to chiaro bright (< L clārus) + oscuro dark (< L obscūrus). See clear, obscure
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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chi·a·ro·scu·ro   (kē-är'ə-skŏŏr'ō, -skyŏŏr'ō)   
n.   pl. chi·a·ro·scu·ros In all senses also called claire-obscure.
  1. The technique of using light and shade in pictorial representation.
  2. The arrangement of light and dark elements in a pictorial work of art.
    1. A woodcut technique in which several blocks are used to print different shades of a color.
    2. A woodcut print made by this technique.

[Italian : chiaro, bright, light (from Latin clārus, clear; see kelə-2 in Indo-European roots) + oscuro, dark (from Latin obscūrus; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots).]
chi·a'ro·scu'rist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Chiaroscuro

Chia`ro*scu"ro\, Chiaro-oscuro \Chi*a"ro-os*cu"ro\, n. [It., clear dark.] (a) The arrangement of light and dark parts in a work of art, such as a drawing or painting, whether in monochrome or in color. (b) The art or practice of so arranging the light and dark parts as to produce a harmonious effect. Cf. Clair-obscur.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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chiaroscuro 
1686, "disposition of light and dark in a picture," lit. "bright-dark," from It. chiaro (from L. clarus) + oscuro (from L. obscurus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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