decorative English · revision 39565

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1791, W. Chambers, Civil Architecture|origins=la decus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˈdɛk.ə.ɹə.tɪv/, /ˈdɛk.ɹə.tɪv/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˈdɛk.ə.ɹə.tɪv/, /ˈdɛk.ɹə.tɪv/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ In its modern use it is [[af|en|decorate|-ive]],^(Dictionary.com 2016)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) or, as the OED puts it, the Latin participial stem [[m|la|decorātus]] with the English suffix.^(OED 2026) The verb [[decorate]] comes from [[la|decorō|t=to adorn, embellish]], from [[m|la|decus|t=ornament, grace, honour]], which Etymonline traces to [[ine-pro|*deḱ-|t=to take, accept]], on the notion of adding grace.^(Etymonline) An earlier, isolated use in the 15th century came from [[m|fro|decoratif]],^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline) a word the OED finds in Old French in the 15th century and again in the French Academy's dictionary of 1878.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Etymonline records an early 15th-century use meaning “beautifying”, of something made to remove or cover up blemishes,^(Etymonline) and SOED calls this late Middle English use isolated.^(SOED 2002) The word in its current sense dates from 1791, in William Chambers's treatise on civil architecture.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Since 1791 it has meant having to do with decoration, ornamental.^(Etymonline)^(OED 2026) Merriam-Webster also records a sense for something with a purely ornamental function, and one for a work of art that pleases the senses at once without regard to meaning.^(MWU 2024) SOED records the phrase ''decorative arts'', and dates the derivatives ''decorativeness'' to the mid-19th century and ''decoratively'' to the late 19th.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – beautifying, removing blemishes (isolated).^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+ * 1791 – ornamental, having to do with decoration.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * mid-19th century – ''decorativeness''.^(SOED 2002)

+ * late 19th century – ''decoratively''.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Serving to [[decorate]]; [[ornamental]]: ''a decorative border of painted tiles''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Having a purely ornamental function rather than a practical one.^(MWU 2024)

+ # Of a work of [[art]]: giving immediate pleasure to the senses without regard to meaning.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[decoratively]]

+ * [[decorativeness]]

+ * [[nondecorative]]

+ * [[undecorative]]

+ * [[overdecorative]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[decorate]]

+ * [[decor]]

+ * [[decorum]]

+ * [[decent]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}