staffage

noun

staf·​fage

stəˈfäzh

plural -s

: the accessories of an artistic composition

especially : human or animal figures added as subordinate elements to the painting of a landscape

Word History

Etymology

German, from staffieren to trim, decorate (from Low German stafferen, from Middle Low German stoffēren, staffēren, from Middle Dutch stofferen, from Middle French estoffer to stuff, trim, decorate) + French -age

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