Festoon
/fɛˈstuːn/noun
A decorative chain or cluster of flowers, leaves, ribbons, or lights hung in a curve.
Did you know?Festoon entered English through French and ultimately comes from Latin *festum*, meaning a feast or festival, so its original energy is literally about celebration and sacred public ritual.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dhes-
“to do, to set, to perform a sacred act”
Latin
Latin
festus
“festive, joyful, belonging to a holiday”
Latin
Latin
festum
“feast, holiday, festival”
Old French
Old French
feston
“a garland or wreath decoration”
16th–17th Century
English
festoon
“a hanging garland or decorative chain”