Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “decorum” come from?

Decorum comes from Latin decorum, the neuter form of decor, meaning propriety or fitness, from Latin decor meaning ornament or beauty.

decorum (English): Appropriate social behavior; A convention of...

Definitions

  1. Appropriate social behavior; A convention of...

Ancestry of “decorum”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latindecorumseemliness, propriety; nominative neuter singular...
2Latindecorusbecoming, fitting, proper, suitable; decorated,...
3Latindecorelegance, grace; beauty, charm
4Latin-orused to form a third-declension masculine...
5Proto-Italic-ōsCreates masculine action nouns or result nouns...
6Proto-Indo-European-ōsCreates masculine and feminine action nouns or...
7Proto-Indo-European-oss—
8Proto-Indo-European-osCreates action nouns or result nouns from verbs;...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European -os →