Aureate is among several adjectives in English pertaining to gold that derive from the Latin name for the metal, aurum. While its relatives auriferous and auric are more likely to appear in scientific contexts to describe substances containing or made from gold (or Au, to use its chemical symbol), aureate has tended to have a more literary allure since it was first used in English in the early 15th century. Over time, the word's use was extended from "golden" to "resplendent," and it finally lost some of its luster as it came to mean "grandiloquent."
the aureate speeches that are traditionally given at graduation ceremonies
Recent Examples on the WebBecause emotionally, they are spirited by your aureate leadership heart. Peter Weedfald, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2021 Go for the gold with Knesko’s multi-masking collection, which includes made-for-Instagram aureate treatments for the face, neck, décolleté, eyes, and lips. Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2020 If monochrome is more your speed, Pecheux swept swathes of deep aureate pigment across the lids for the downtown girls at Saint Laurent. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2018
Word History
Etymology
Middle English aureat, from Medieval Latin aureatus decorated with gold, from Latin aureus