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festoon

 - 5 dictionary results

fes⋅toon

[fe-stoon]
–noun
1. a string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, etc., suspended in a curve between two points.
2. a decorative representation of this, as in architectural work or on pottery.
3. a fabric suspended, draped, and bound at intervals to form graceful loops or scalloped folds.
4. Dentistry. the garlandlike area of the gums surrounding the necks of the teeth.
–verb (used with object)
5. to adorn with or as with festoons: to festoon a hall.
6. to form into festoons: to festoon flowers and leaves.
7. Dentistry. to reproduce natural gum patterns around the teeth or a denture.
8. to connect by festoons.

Origin:
1670–80; < F feston < It festone decoration for a feast, deriv. of festa festa
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fes·toon   (fě-stōōn')   
n.  
  1. A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points.

  2. A representation of such a string or garland, as in painting or sculpture.

tr.v.   fes·tooned, fes·toon·ing, fes·toons
  1. To decorate with or as if with festoons; hang festoons on.

  2. To form or make into festoons.


[French feston, from Italian festone, from festa, feast, from Vulgar Latin *fēsta; see feast.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

festoon  (n.)
1630, from Fr. feston, from It. festone, lit. "a festive ornament," from festa "celebration, feast," from V.L. *festa (see feast). The verb is attested from 1789.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

festoon fes·toon (fě-st&oomacr;n')
n.
A carving in the base material of a denture that simulates the contours of the natural tissue being replaced by the denture.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

festoon

in architecture and decoration, carved ornamental motif consisting of stylized flowers, fruit, foliage, and cloth, tied together with ribbons that sag in the middle and are attached at both ends. The distinction is sometimes made between a swag and a festoon by limiting the former to festoons entirely made up of folds of cloth.

Learn more about festoon with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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