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Ornamentation: meaning, definitions and examples

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ornamentation

 

[ ˌɔːrnəmənˈteɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

artistic decoration

Ornamentation refers to the act of adding decorative elements to something, such as a building, piece of clothing, or piece of art. It is used to enhance the aesthetic appeal and beauty of the object. Ornamentation can include intricate designs, patterns, motifs, or embellishments.

Synonyms

adornment, decoration, decoration, embellishment

Examples of usage

  • The ballroom was adorned with intricate ornamentation on the walls and ceiling.
  • The wedding dress was stunning with delicate lace ornamentation.
  • The jewelry box was decorated with beautiful ornamentation of pearls and diamonds.
Context #2 | Noun

musical embellishment

In music, ornamentation refers to the embellishments or added notes that a performer improvises or includes in a piece to enhance its expressiveness or ornament the melody. Ornamentation can include trills, grace notes, mordents, and other decorative elements.

Synonyms

adornment, decoration, embellishment, flourish

Examples of usage

  • The pianist added elegant ornamentation to the musical piece, showcasing their virtuosity.
  • The singer's vocal ornamentation added flair and emotion to the song.
  • The violinist's performance was characterized by elaborate ornamentation.

Translations

Translations of the word "ornamentation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ornamentação

🇮🇳 सजावट

🇩🇪 Ornament

🇮🇩 ornamen

🇺🇦 орнаментація

🇵🇱 ornamentacja

🇯🇵 装飾 (そうしょく)

🇫🇷 ornementation

🇪🇸 ornamentación

🇹🇷 süsleme

🇰🇷 장식

🇸🇦 زخرفة

🇨🇿 ornamentace

🇸🇰 ornamentácia

🇨🇳 装饰 (zhuāngshì)

🇸🇮 ornamentacija

🇮🇸 skreyting

🇰🇿 әшекейлеу

🇬🇪 ორნამენტაცია

🇦🇿 ornamentasiya

🇲🇽 ornamentación

Etymology

The term 'ornamentation' dates back to the mid-17th century and is derived from the Latin word 'ornamentum,' meaning 'equipment' or 'adornment.' Throughout history, ornamentation has been an essential element in various art forms, architecture, and design, reflecting cultural and artistic styles of different time periods.

See also: ornamented, ornamenting, ornamentist, ornaments, overornament, unornamented.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,378, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.