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staffage

noun
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staf·​fage | \ stəˈfäzh \
plural -s

Definition of staffage

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

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History and Etymology for staffage

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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Cite this Entry

“Staffage.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/staffage. Accessed 28 January 2020.

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