dark ages

• Période historique en Europe allant d'environ le Ve au Xe siècle, souvent caractérisée par un prétendu manque de progrès culturel et scientifique ; également utilisé de manière métaphorique pour désigner une époque d'ignorance ou de retard.

A historical period in Europe from roughly the 5th to the 10th century, often characterized by a perceived lack of cultural and scientific advancement; also used metaphorically to describe a time of ignorance or backwardness.

1. Historical periodB2formal

   The period in European history from the fall of the Western Roman Empire (around 476 AD) to the beginning of the Renaissance (around 1400 AD), often characterized by a perceived lack of cultural and scientific advancement.

   Âges sombres

   • The Dark Ages are often associated with a decline in learning and trade.
   • Historians debate the accuracy of the term 'Dark Ages' for this period.
   • Life in the Dark Ages was heavily influenced by feudalism and the Church.

2. Period of declineB2informal

   Any period in history or in a specific field that is considered to be characterized by ignorance, lack of progress, or cultural stagnation.

   âges sombres

   • Some people refer to the early 2000s as the dark ages of mobile phone design.
   • The country's economy entered a dark age after the war.
   • In terms of women's rights, that era was a dark age.