word of the day :: festoon

festoon:

[fe-stoon]

–noun

1. a string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, etc., suspended in a curve between two points.

2. a decorative representation of this, as in architectural work or on pottery.

3. a fabric suspended, draped, and bound at intervals to form graceful loops or scalloped folds.

4. Dentistry. the garland-like area of the gums surrounding the necks of the teeth.

-verb (used with object)

5. to adorn with or as with festoons: to festoon a hall.

6. to form into festoons: to festoon flowers and leaves.

7. Dentistry. to reproduce natural gum patterns around the teeth or a denture.

8. to connect by festoons.

Origin:

1670-80; < F feston < It festone decoration for a feast, deriv. of festa festa

"Most humans feel the transcendent temptation, the emotional drive to festoon the universe with large-scale meaning."

 :: Paul Kurtz ::

* Definition from www.dictionary.com