embellishment
UK[ɪmˈbelɪʃmənt]US[ɪmˈbelɪʃmənt]
n
a decoration or detail added to something to make it more attractive.
n
a detail, especially one that is not true, added to a statement or story to make it more interesting or entertaining.
Morpheme Breakdown
embellish
ment
embellish
ment
Etymology
the word 'embellishment' originates from the old french verb 'embellir', meaning 'to make beautiful'. this, in turn, is derived from the latin elements 'in-' (a prefix intensifying the meaning) and 'bellus', meaning 'beautiful'. the suffix '-ment', of latin origin via french, is used to form nouns indicating the action, process, or result of the base verb. thus, the literal construction is "the process or result of making beautiful," which evolved into the modern meanings of adding decorative details or, figuratively, adding fanciful details to a narrative.
Analysis
Structure: embellish + ment
embellish (from old french embellir, based on latin in- (in) + bellus (beautiful)); ment (noun-forming suffix of latin origin via french, indicating an action, process, or resulting state).
Examples
the dress was simple, with no lace or other embellishment.
his account of the event was full of exaggerations and embellishments.
the architect admired the subtle embellishments on the classical facade.