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Synonyms

ornamentation

American  
[awr-nuh-men-tey-shuhn, ‑muhn‑] / ˌɔr nə mɛnˈteɪ ʃən, ‑mən‑ /

noun

  1. the act of ornamenting.

  2. the state of being ornamented.

  3. something with which a thing is ornamented; embellishment.

  4. ornaments collectively.


Etymology

Origin of ornamentation

First recorded in 1850–1855

Explanation

Ornamentation can refer to materials or features used for decoration. The ornamentation in a fancy mansion might include crystal chandeliers, silk curtains, and thick carpets. In addition to referring to materials for decoration, ornamentation can also mean the act of decorating or the state of being decorated. If your friend is constantly redecorating her room in extravagant ways, she probably enjoys the process of ornamentation. A heavily decorated house is in a state of ornamentation. However it’s used, ornamentation involves making things look prettier — or at least more elaborate. A single object used for ornamentation can be called an ornament.

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Vocabulary lists containing ornamentation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ornamentation was sparse; the sopranos Jolle Greenleaf and Molly Quinn were among the few soloists who added much.

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2010

Ornamentation :Herring-bone, the incised lines being filled in with white clay.

From Austral English A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages with those aboriginal-Australian and Maori words which have become incorporated in the language, and the commoner scientific words that have had their origin in Australasia by Morris, Edward Ellis

Ornamentation varies from a few widely spaced, randomly oriented tubercles to closely spaced tubercles merging posteriorly into striae.

From A New Genus of Pennsylvania Fish (Crossoperygii, Coelacanthiformes) from Kansas by Echols, Joan

Ornamentation is therefore the principal part of architecture, considered as a subject of fine art.

From Lectures on Architecture and Painting Delivered at Edinburgh in November 1853 by Ruskin, John

Ornamentation outlined in gold and crossed with horizontal lines.

From Bib-li-op-e-gis-tic (Pertaining to the art of binding books.?Dibdin) to which is appended a glossary of some terms used in the craft by Unknown

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