Embellishment
/ɪmˈbɛlɪʃmənt/noun
Ornamental decoration or an extra detail added to make something more attractive or vivid.
Did you know?Embellishment comes from a family of words built on Old French beaute and Latin bellus, meaning “pretty” or “beautiful,” so the word’s deepest history is basically about turning plain reality into something prettier.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dwes-
“A proposed ancestral root behind Latin bellus, tied to notions of pleasing appearance or attractiveness.”
Latin
Latin
bellus
“Pretty, handsome, fine, or charming.”
Old French
Old French
embelir
“To make beautiful; to adorn.”
Middle English
English
embelishen
“To adorn or make more beautiful.”
15th Century
English
embellisshen
“To decorate or add ornamental detail.”
Modern English
English
embellishment
“Ornamental addition or decorative detail, often an elaboration in speech or writing.”