v. Forms: 4–5 embelyssh, (4 enbelyse, embellis), 5 embellissh, -ysh, (embelese, -yse, -yce, enbelis, -issh, embelsh), 6– embellish. Also 7–8 imbelish, imbellish. [a. OF. embelliss- lengthened stem of embellir, f. en- (see EN-) + bel beautiful.]
1. † a. To render beautiful (obs. in general sense). b. To beautify with adventitious adornments; to ornament.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1033. & enbelyse his burȝ with his bele chere.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Lucrece. Teeres ful of hevytee Embelysshed [v.r. embelesed, enbelised] hire wifly chastitee.
c. 1440. Partonope, 5981. Wyth beaute … nature Wold so embelyce ony oo creature.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, 9. The robes of purpure … enbellissheth the body.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb. It was embellisht with blossomes fayre.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 185. The Elm [yields] a waterish humour, which is very proper to imbelish the skin.
1679–88. Secr. Serv. Money Chas. & Jas., 49. For writing, flourishing, and embellishing, partly in gold, a letre sent to the Emperor of … Morocco.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), II. IV. § 1. 215. His hair embellished with artificial locks.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., I. iii. 36. Bridles … embellished with bits of yellow gold.
1872. Yeats, Techn. Hist. Comm., 248. The objects thus embellished were jewel-cases.
c. fig.; now often with sense to ‘dress up,’ heighten (a narration) with fictitious additions.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys, Introd. 3. Hys newe poetrye Enbelshyd wyth colours of rethoryk.
1482. Caxton (title), Higden’s Polychronicon … emprynted and sette in forme by me William Caxton and a lytel embelysshed fro tholde makyng.
1649. Selden, Laws of Eng. (1739), II. xvii. 90. To imbellish mens minds with … Learning that may gain them preferment.
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., vii. (1738), 154. False notions of glory: imbellishd indeed by servile wits and misplaced eloquence.
1726. Swift, To a Lady. I shall … with books my mind embellish.
1772. Sir W. Jones, Ess., ii. 205. A simple and agreeable melody, which will … embellish [the words].
1801. Home, in Phil. Trans., XCI. 329. Events … probably … much exaggerated and embellished.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 53. A long life … embellished by elegant pursuits.
Mod. The story is true in substance, but has been greatly embellished.
† 2. fig. To brighten (in feeling), cheer. Obs.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., I. v. 17. But they were embelisshid moche of that they sawe the firmament thus torne and so nobly to holde his cours.
