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Today it means

decorate

to make more attractive

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Where does the word "decorate" come from? It comes from Latin decorare, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

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Where does the word "decorate" come from? It comes from Latin decorare, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Decorate’s story begins in Latin: decorare meant “to adorn.” From 'decus', ornament. It reached English by 1500s as decorate. Military 'decorations' date from the 1800s. Today, decorate means to make more attractive.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient decorare "to adorn", from 'decus', ornament.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s decorate "to adorn", military 'decorations' date from the 1800s.

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