horror vacui
Originating from Latin, "horror vacui" translates to "fear of empty spaces" and is applied in various fields such as art, philosophy, and science.
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Definition
C1Art and Design
(technical, academic)The tendency to fill every available space with detail, avoiding any blank areas.
Example
- The artist's work is a perfect example of horror vacui, with every inch of the canvas covered in intricate designs.
C2Philosophy and Science
(historical, academic)The principle that nature does not allow empty spaces and will always seek to fill them.
Example
- Aristotle's concept of horror vacui suggested that vacuums cannot exist in nature.
B2Psychology
(informal)A discomfort or fear associated with empty spaces or voids.
Example
- Some people experience horror vacui when they see an empty room and feel compelled to fill it with furniture.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "horror vacui":