aureateness
|au-re-ate-ness|
/ˈɔːriətnəs/
quality of being golden or ornate
Etymology
'aureateness' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aureus', where 'aureus' meant 'golden'.
'aureus' passed into Late Latin as 'aureatus' (meaning 'gilded' or 'decorated with gold'), then into English as the adjective 'aureate' in the 17th century, and finally the noun 'aureateness' was formed by adding the suffix '-ness' to denote the state or quality.
Initially it meant 'golden' (in color or made of gold), but over time it also acquired the figurative sense 'ornate or highly decorated (especially in language)', and this combined sense is reflected in the modern meaning 'quality of being golden or ornate'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being golden in color or appearance; goldenness.
The aureateness of the sunset bathed the valley in a warm, golden light.
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Noun 2
the quality of being ornate, elaborate, or highly decorative, especially in language or style.
Critics noted the aureateness of the poet's late works, praising their richness while warning of excess.
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Last updated: 2025/11/20 07:22