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decorate
5 dictionary results for: decorate
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
dec·o·rate       [dek-uh-reyt] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), -rat·ed, -rat·ing.
1.to furnish or adorn with something ornamental or becoming; embellish: to decorate walls with murals.
2.to plan and execute the design, furnishings, and ornamentation of the interior of (a house, office, apartment, etc.), esp. by selecting colors, fabrics, and style of furniture, by making minor structural changes, etc.: Their house is decorated in French Provincial style.
3.to confer distinction upon by a badge, a medal of honor, etc.: to decorate a soldier for valor.

[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME (adj.) < L decorātus (ptp. of decorāre), equiv. to decor- (s. of decus) an ornament, splendor, honor (see decent) + -ātus -ate1]

1. ornament, bedeck, trim, garnish, festoon.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dec·o·rate       (děk'ə-rāt')  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   dec·o·rat·ed, dec·o·rat·ing, dec·o·rates
  1. To furnish, provide, or adorn with something ornamental; embellish.
  2. To confer a medal or other honor on: was decorated for bravery.


[From Middle English decorat, made beautiful, from Latin decorātus, past participle of decorāre, to beautify, from decus, decor-, honor, ornament; see dek- in Indo-European roots.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
decorate 
1460, from L. decoratus, pp. of decorare "to decorate," from decus (gen. decoris) "an ornament," from PIE base *dek- "to receive, be suitable" (see decent). Decoration in the sense of "star, cross, medal, or other badge of honor" is from 1816. Decorative is from 1791; decorator is first recorded 1755.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
decorate

verb
1. make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; "Decorate the room for the party"; "beautify yourself for the special day" 
2. be beautiful to look at; "Flowers adorned the tables everywhere" [syn: deck
3. award a mark of honor, such as a medal, to; "He was decorated for his services in the military" 
4. provide with decoration; "dress the windows" [syn: dress

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Decorate

Dec"o*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decorating.] [L. decoratus, p. p. of decorare, fr. decus ornament; akin to decere to be becoming. See Decent.] To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or honorary; to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to decorate the person; to decorate an edifice; to decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with honors.

Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets decorated her arms. --Thackeray.

Syn: To adorn; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace. See Adorn.

Decorated style (Arch.), a name given by some writers to the perfected English Gothic architecture; it may be considered as having flourished from about a. d. 1300 to a. d. 1375.

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