rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet 

1

: an ornament usually made of material gathered or pleated so as to resemble a rose and worn as a badge of office, as evidence of having won a decoration (such as the Medal of Honor), or as trimming

2

: a disk of foliage or a floral design usually in relief used as a decorative motif

3

: a structure or color marking on an animal suggestive of a rosette

especially : one of the groups of spots on a leopard

4

: a cluster of leaves in crowded circles or spirals arising basally from a crown (as in the dandelion) or apically from an axis with greatly shortened internodes (as in many tropical palms)

5

: a food decoration or garnish in the shape of a rose

icing rosettes

carrot rosettes

Illustration of rosette

• rosette 2

Examples of rosette in a Sentence

a rosette of chocolate frosting

Rosettes are carved in the base of the statue.

Recent Examples on the Web

The halter dress featured a cutout on the torso beneath a rosette appliqué and included a thigh-high slit. —Julia Teti, WWD, 4 Sep. 2024

Hilton embraced romance with a beaded rosette frock by Oscar de la Renta, while Richie opted for a vampier leather gown by Proenza Schouler, complete with an open back. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2024

Rihanna wore a massive white Maison Valentino gown with a long, sweeping train and matching cape covered in textured rosettes. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Rihanna wore dramatic white Maison Valentino gown with a long, sweeping train and matching cape covered in rosettes. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Old French rosete, rosette "small rose, object shaped like a rose," from rose rose entry 2 + -ete, -ette -ette

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet 

1

: a badge or ornament of ribbon gathered in the shape of a rose

2

: a design of leaves or flowers used as a decoration

3

: a circular cluster of leaves developed on a plant (as at the base of a dandelion)

Medical Definition

rosette

noun

ro·​sette rō-ˈzet 

: a rose-shaped cluster of cells