/ English Dictionary

EMBELLISHMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of adding extraneous decorations to something

Synonyms:

embellishment; ornamentation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("embellishment" is a kind of...):

decoration (the act of decorating something (in the hope of making it more attractive))

Derivation:

embellish (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A superfluous ornament

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("embellishment" is a kind of...):

decoration; ornament; ornamentation (something used to beautify)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "embellishment"):

boule; boulle; buhl (an inlaid furniture decoration; tortoiseshell and yellow and white metal form scrolls in cabinetwork)

cuspidation (a decoration using cusps)

festoon (an embellishment consisting of a decorative representation of a string of flowers suspended between two points; used on pottery or in architectural work)

filagree; filigree; fillagree (delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire))

vermiculation (a decoration consisting of wormlike carvings)

flourish (an ornamental embellishment in writing)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail

Example:

the mystery has been heightened by many embellishments in subsequent retellings

Synonyms:

embellishment; embroidery

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("embellishment" is a kind of...):

elaboration; enlargement; expansion (a discussion that provides additional information)

Derivation:

embellish (add details to)

Credits

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE