Fresco \Fres"co\, n.; pl. {Frescoes} or {Frescos}. [It., fr. fresco fresh; of German origin. See {Fresh}, a.] 1. A cool, refreshing state of the air; duskiness; coolness; shade. [R.] --Prior. 2. (Fine Arts) (a) The art of painting on freshly spread plaster, before it dries. (b) In modern parlance, incorrectly applied to painting on plaster in any manner. (c) A painting on plaster in either of senses a and b .