dec
LatinVariants
Related Roots
About This Root
From Latin decēre (to be fitting, proper) and decor (beauty, grace). Splits into two semantic tracks: propriety (decent, decency, decorum, decorous) and adornment (decorate, decoration, decor). The connection is that what is "fitting" is also "beautiful." Note: decade and decimate share the spelling but come from decem (ten), not this root.
Associated Words
decade
A period of ten years
decency
Proper, polite, and morally acceptable behavior
decent
Appropriate, respectable, and morally acceptable; adequately good
decently
In a proper or acceptable manner
decimate
To destroy or severely reduce a large portion of something
decor
The style of decoration and furnishings in a room
decorate
To make more attractive by adding ornaments; to award a medal or honor
decoration
An ornament that beautifies; a medal or badge of honor
decorations
Items used to beautify a place; medals or badges of honor
decorative
Serving to beautify rather than for practical use
decoratively
In a way that adds beauty or ornament
decorous
Proper and dignified in behavior or appearance
decorously
In a proper and dignified manner
decorum
Polite and appropriate social behavior
home-decorating
Furnishing and decorating the interior of a home
indecency
Offensive or morally unacceptable behaviour; lack of decency
indecent
Offensive to moral standards; improper or obscene
indecently
In an offensive or improper manner
indecorous
Improper or lacking good taste in behavior
redecorate
To change a room's appearance by repainting or refurnishing
redecoration
The act of redecorating a space
undecorated
Plain; without any decoration or ornament