bedizenry

bedizenry

English

Etymology

bedizen +‎ -ry

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɪˈdaɪzənɹɪ/, /bɪˈdɪzənɹɪ/

Noun

bedizenry (uncountable)

1. Showy or gaudy decorations or finery.
   • 1847, Henry Howe, Historical Collections of Virginia, Charleston: W.R. Babcock, “Fairfax,” p. 259,

     Money made in the stocks can purchase the bedizenry of our city drawing-rooms; but these elevating associations, which no gold can buy, no popular favor win, which can only be inherited, these are the heir-looms, the traditionary titles and pensions, inalienable, not conferred, which a republic allows to the descendants of her great servants.

   • 1900, Louise Jordan Miln, Wooings and Weddings in Many Climes, Chicago & New York: Herbert & Stone, Chapter 25, p. 345,

     A Sikh will travel any distance to join a barat, walking briskly through the glittering scorch of the indescribable Punjaubi sunshine, clad in all the weight and bedizenry of his best raiment […]

   • 1989, Jack Vance, Madouc, Novato, California: Underwood-Miller, Chapter 6, p. 130,

     “I have heard that in Rome and Ravenna the churches are crammed so full with gold ornaments and jeweled gewgaws that they lack space for aught else. Be assured that never a penny from the Royal Exchequer of Lyonesse will be spent on such bedizenry.”