‖n. [ F., fr. renaître to be born again. Cf. Renascence. ] A new birth, or revival. Specifically:
The Renaissance was rather the last stage of the Middle Ages, emerging from ecclesiastical and feudal despotism, developing what was original in mediaeval ideas by the light of classic arts and letters. J. A. Symonds (Encyc. Brit.). [ 1913 Webster ]