decoupage
UK[ˌdeɪkuːˈpɑːʒ]US[ˌdeɪkuːˈpɑːʒ]
n
The art or technique of decorating a surface by gluing down paper cut-outs and then coating them with varnish or lacquer.
n
A work of art created using this technique.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
coup
age
de
down, away, off, completely.
coup
to cut.
age
Etymology
The word 'decoupage' is a direct borrowing from 20th-century French, where 'découpage' literally means "the act of cutting out." It is constructed from the French verb 'découper' (to cut out), which itself is formed from the prefix 'dé-' (indicating removal or separation) and 'couper' (to cut). The suffix '-age' is added to form a noun describing the process or result. Thus, the term's journey from the literal French meaning of "cutting out" to the modern English definition for a decorative craft is transparent: the technique's core action involves cutting out paper designs before affixing them to an object.
Analysis
Structure: de + coup + age
- de: (Latin origin) A prefix meaning "down, away, off, completely."
- coup: (French origin) From the French verb 'couper,' meaning "to cut."
- age: (French/Latin origin) A suffix forming nouns denoting an action, process, or result.
Examples
She learned the art of decoupage to decorate old furniture and picture frames.
The intricate decoupage on the vintage trunk made it a unique piece.
A weekend workshop will teach participants basic decoupage techniques using magazines and glue.