decorate etymology

Etymology

  • Latin: decorare ("to adorn, beautify")
  • Proto-Indo-European: *deḱ- ("to grow, increase")

Meaning

  • To make something more attractive or aesthetically pleasing
  • To add embellishments or ornamentation to something
  • To enhance or improve something's appearance

Origin

The word "decorate" derives from the Latin word decorare, which means "to adorn" or "to beautify." This word is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *deḱ-, meaning "to grow" or "to increase."

The original meaning of "decorate" was to add something that would make something more attractive or pleasing to the eye. This could include adding ornaments, carvings, paintings, or other forms of decoration. Over time, the meaning of "decorate" has expanded to include any act of making something more aesthetically pleasing, regardless of whether or not it involves adding physical embellishments.

In modern usage, "decorate" is often used in the context of interior design, where it refers to the act of making a room or home more attractive or stylish. It can also be used in the context of art, where it refers to the act of adding embellishments or ornamentation to a work of art.

decorate relate terms

  • decorated

    Etymology Early 15th century in the sense embellished or adorned with raised or car

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • decorator

    Etymology The word decorator comes from the Latin word decorare meaning to adorn o

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • condign

    Etymology The word condign has its origins in Latin con meaning together or wi

  • dainty

    Etymology French daint delicate c 1300 Middle English deyntee dayntee c 1340 O

  • decent

    Etymology Latin decens befitting proper becoming Proto Indo European dek ri

  • decor

    Etymology The word decor comes from the Latin word decorus which means proper fi

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • decorous

    Etymology Latin decorus seemly becoming Proto Indo European dek decency com

  • deign

    Etymology The word deign originates from the Old French word deignier which in turn

  • dignify

    Etymology The word dignify comes from the Latin word dignus meaning worthy or d

  • dignity

    Etymology The word dignity comes from the Latin word dignitas which means worth or

  • diplodocus

    Etymology Name Diplodocus Meaning Double beam Origin Greek words diploos double

  • disciple

    Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or

  • discipline

    Etymology Latin disciplina Meaning instruction teaching training Origin discer

  • disdain

    Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

  • docent

    Etymology The word docent is derived from the Latin verb docere which means to teac

  • Docetism

    Etymology The term Docetism derives from the Greek word dokein which means to seem

  • docile

    Etymology Latin docibilis teachable gentle Ultimately from Proto Indo European

  • docimacy

    Etymology Greek δοκιμασία dokimasia testing trial Latin docimare to te

  • doctor

    Etymology The word doctor derives from the Latin word docēre meaning to teach M

  • doctrine

    Etymology The word doctrine originates from the Latin word doctrina which means tea

  • document

    Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

  • dogma

    Etymology Greek dogma δόγμα meaning opinion belief decree Meaning A

  • dogmatic

    Etymology The word dogmatic originates from the Latin word dogma which means doctr

  • doxology

    Etymology From Late Latin doxologia from Greek δοξολογία doxologia from δ

  • heterodox

  • indignance

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignari to be indignant from Indi

  • indignant

    Etymology Indignus Latin meaning unworthy undeserving ant Suffix denoting a qual

  • indignation

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignus unworthy from in not dign

  • indignity

    Etymology Latin indignitas unworthiness indignity Proto Indo European dheigh

  • orthodox

    Etymology The word orthodox derives from the Greek words ortho meaning right st

  • paradox

    Etymology The word paradox originates from the Greek language para παρά mea

  • synecdoche

    Etymology and Origin The word synecdoche originates from the Greek words syn togethe

  • deck

    Etymology The word deck has two main etymological origins Old English dec or th

  • adorn

    Etymology Old French adourner Latin adornāre Proto Indo European h₁derə to p

  • grace

    Etymology Latin gratia favor thankfulness grace Meaning Favor kindness or good

  • paint

    Etymology of paint The English word paint originates from the Old French word peint

  • decor

    Etymology The word decor comes from the Latin word decorus which means proper fi

  • Polish

    Etymology The word Polish is derived from the Latin word Polonia plural Poloni

  • garnish

    Etymology The word garnish comes from the Old French word garnir meaning to supply

  • arrange

    Etymology Meaning Origin etymology the origin of a word and the

  • warder

    Etymology Old English weardere from Proto West Germanic warderaz from Proto Germanic

  • reward

    Etymology Middle English rewarde from Anglo French rewarde reward from Old French r