Definition of: baroque

(bə·rōk′) adjective
1. Irregularly shaped: said of pearls.
2. Of, like, or characteristic of a style of art, architecture, and decoration characterized by extravagant and fantastic forms, curved rather than straight lines in ornament, and exaggerated and theatrical effects, as those developed in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe.
—noun
1. The baroque style.
2. An object, ornament, or design in this style. [<F <Pg. barroco rough or imperfect pearl]
BAROQUE (def.2) Venice: Church of Santa Maria della. Salute. 1631–56