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

To that end, rosettes curve around a diamond band—an homage to his grandmother’s toi et moi ring. —Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024

Plants produce a basal rosette of downy foliage in their first year and flower in the second season, after which the plants typically die out. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024

Small wax orange blossoms were attached to the center of each rosette, which was a trademark of Lowe’s designs. —Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 28 July 2024

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

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