Ornament
/ˈɔːr.nə.mənt/noun
A decorative object or feature added to something to make it more attractive.
Did you know?Ornament ultimately comes from Latin ornāmentum, from ornāre, meaning “to equip, furnish, adorn,” a verb used for both beautifying and preparing someone for duty or battle.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃er-
“to fit out, arrange, put in order”
Latin
Latin
ornāre
“to equip, furnish, adorn”
Latin
Latin
ornāmentum
“equipment, decoration, embellishment”
Old French
Old French
ornement
“ornament, decoration”
Middle English
English
ornament
“decorative adornment”
Modern English
English
ornament
“a decorative object or feature”
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