n. [ CF. It. romanticismo, F. romantisme, romanticisme. ] A fondness for romantic characteristics or peculiarities; specifically, in modern literature, an aiming at romantic effects; -- applied to the productions of a school of writers who sought to revive certain medi&unr_;val forms and methods in opposition to the so-called classical style. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ Lessing ] may be said to have begun the revolt from pseudo-classicism in poetry, and to have been thus unconsciously the founder of romanticism. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]