Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “embellishing” come from?

Embellishing comes from Old French embellir, formed from the prefix in- and Latin in meaning "in," ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European ne and dew-.

embellishing (English): present participle of embellish; An embellishment

Definitions

  1. present participle of embellish; An embellishment

Ancestry of “embellishing”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishembellishTo make more beautiful and attractive; to...
2Old Frenchembellirto make prettier; to make more attractive; to...
3Old FrenchbelAlternative form of biau; good, pretty
4Latinbellusbeautiful, pretty, handsome; pleasant, agreeable,...
5Latinvillushair, tuft of hair, shaggy hair
6LatinvellusThe wool shorn from a sheep; fleece; wool; The...
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂welh₁-to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool

Words derived from “embellishing”

  • embellishingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁- →