(Renaissance) the humanistic revival of classical influence in Europe from the 14th to the 17th cent., expressed in a flowering of the arts, architecture, and literature, etc and by the beginnings of modern science
(often Renaissance) a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity
a rebirth or revival
[early French renaissance rebirth, from renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born]