ornamentalist
|or-na-men-tal-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔɹnəˈmɛntəlɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːnəˈmɛntəlɪst/
maker or supporter of decoration
Etymology
'ornamentalist' originates from English, specifically the adjective 'ornamental' plus the suffix '-ist', where 'ornamental' ultimately derives from Latin 'ornamentum' (from 'ornare') meaning 'to adorn', and the suffix '-ist' (via Greek '-istēs' and Latin) meant 'one who practices or is concerned with'.
'ornamental' developed from Old French 'ornement' (from Latin 'ornamentum'), and in Modern English the agentive suffix '-ist' was added to form 'ornamentalist', producing the modern English word 'ornamentalist'.
Initially related to 'ornament' or 'decoration' (the quality or thing), but over time the term came to denote a person who makes, applies, or advocates ornamentation; the focus shifted from the object to the practitioner.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who designs, makes, or applies decorative ornaments; a specialist in ornamentation or decorative arts.
The ornamentalist gilded the frames and carved intricate floral motifs for the theater.
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Noun 2
someone who advocates or favors ornamentation (in art, architecture, or design) as opposed to plain or purely functional styles.
In the debate over the new civic building, the ornamentalist argued for decorative facades rather than bare concrete.
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Last updated: 2026/01/14 09:56