skeuomorph

American  

[skyoo-uh-mawrf] / ˈskyu əˌmɔrf /

noun

1. an ornament or design on an object that mimics the form of the object when made from another material or by other techniques, usually one that reflects a previously functional element, as an imitation metal rivet mark found on handles of prehistoric pottery.

2. Digital Technology. a design or design element, as an icon on a digital device, that mimics the three-dimensional look or the sound of a physical object, such as LCD hands on a smartwatch or the shutter sound on a digital camera.

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Other Word Forms

• skeuomorphic
  adjective
• skeuomorphics
  noun

Etymology

Origin of skeuomorph

First recorded in 1885–90; from Greek skeû(os) “vessel, implement” + -o- + -morph