Vitruvian

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the Roman architect Vitruvius or to his theories of proportion and design ; describing the ideal human figure with arms and legs inscribed in a circle and square, as drawn by Leonardo da Vinci
2. Connected with the Roman writer on architecture Vitruvius and his principles of harmonious proportion ; used of the famous drawing of an idealized man inscribed within a circle and square by Leonardo
3. Pertaining to the architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio and his ideas about symmetry ; characterizing Leonardo da Vinci's celebrated sketch of a naked man set within geometric shapes

Etymology: Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was a Roman architect and engineer whose treatise "De architectura," written in the late first century BCE, survived the centuries and became the foundation of Western architectural theory. The adjective "Vitruvian" is simply his name with the English suffix "-an," meaning "of or relating to Vitruvius," and it is most often applied to the famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of a man inscribed in a circle and square, which was inspired by Vitruvius's description of ideal human proportions. Because the adjective is formed directly from the Latin name, its meaning is tied entirely to that one author. Its use today usually points to Vitruvius's principles of proportion, symmetry, and design, rather than to any other person or idea.