festoon

[Fr. fest on, from Low Lat. fes to =a garland; Ital. festone: Sp. fest on; usually derived from Lat. festum a feast, but a connection with Low Lat. fest is; O. Fr. fest, fuist, faiste; Fr. faite a top, a ridge (from the base of the Lat. fastigium ) is almost as likely. ( Skeat.)] 1. Ord . Lang .: A chain or string of any materials suspended between two points; spec if. a chain or garland of flowers, foliage, drapery, ., suspended by the ends so as to form a depending curve. 2. Arch .: A carved ornament in wood, stone, ., usually in the form of a garland or wreath, comm. posed of flowers, fruits, leaves, ., bound together Festoon. and suspended by the ends. This method of ornamentation was employed by the architects of the middle ages, frequently with much succe , in their friezes of the Composite order. Festoons are still usefully and aptly employed in decoration. "I shal the fete bred and chese." -Havelok , 642. 2. To derive, to draw. "Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof." Shakesp.: Henry V. , iii. 1. fe-tal, fœ-tal, a. [Lat. fetus , fœtus = a fetus (q.v.] Of or pertaining to a fetus.