medieval

Relating to the Middle Ages (approximately 5th to 15th century); often used to describe something old-fashioned, primitive, or harsh.

• 🇩🇪Das Mittelalter betreffend (etwa 5.–15. Jahrhundert); oft abwertend für etwas Altmodisches, Rückständiges oder Brutales gebraucht.

1. Relating to the Middle Ages B1 formal

   Belonging to or characteristic of the period in European history from about 500 to 1500 AD.

   • The castle is a fine example of medieval architecture.
   • She is studying medieval literature at university.
   • Medieval knights wore heavy armor into battle.

   🇩🇪mittelalterlich

   Synonyme: mediaeval

   Antonyme: contemporarymodern

2. Old-fashioned or unenlightened B2 informal

   Extremely outdated, primitive, or lacking modern understanding, often used critically.

   • The company's attitude towards remote work is positively medieval.
   • His views on education are completely medieval.
   • The prison conditions were described as medieval by human rights groups.

   🇩🇪Mittelalterlich (im übertragenen Sinne)

   Synonyme: antiquatedarchaicbackwardsbarbaricfeudalobsoleteoutdatedoutmodedprimitiveunenlightened

   Antonyme: advancedcivilizedcontemporaryenlightenedforward-lookingmodernprogressivesophisticated

3. Characteristic of chivalry and knighthood B2 formal art

   Evoking the ideals, customs, and romance associated with knights and the feudal system of the Middle Ages.

   • The novel is set in a medieval world of dragons and quests.
   • He performed a medieval-style jousting tournament for the festival.
   • The tapestry depicted a medieval scene of a king and his court.

   🇩🇪Ritterlich

   Synonyme: chivalriccourtlyfeudalknightly

   Antonyme: contemporarymodern

• more medieval comparative form
• most medieval superlative form