embellishes

Embellishes is the third-person singular present tense of the verb embellish. It describes the act of making something more attractive or interesting by adding decorative details or features. Embellishment can be literal, such as sewing beads on a garment or applying ornament to a surface, or figurative, such as adding descriptive flourishes to language or exaggerating facts to enhance a story. The word is used across disciplines, often with precise connotations depending on context.

Etymology and history: Embellish comes from Old French embelir, from em- 'to cause to be' and bel 'beautiful'. The form embellishes appeared in English as the verb developed into standard usage in the late medieval and early modern periods.

Applications: In visual arts and crafts, embellishes may refer to embroidery, appliqué, beading, or other ornamentation that enhances appearance. In music, embellishments are ornamental notes or techniques added to a melody, such as trills or grace notes. In writing and speech, embellishment denotes rhetorical devices or descriptive flourishes intended to decorate the prose or oratory. In journalism and everyday speech, embellishment can carry a pejorative sense when details are exaggerated or fabricated.

Examples: The designer embellishes the dress with sequins. The witness was accused of embellishing her account of events. While embellishment can enhance appeal and expressiveness, it can also blur accuracy if used to mislead.

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