(ˈskjuːəˌmɔːf) or skeuomorphism (ˌskjuːəˈmɔːfɪzəm)
noun
a functional item redesigned as something decorative
skeuomorph in American English
(ˈskjuːəˌmɔrf)
noun
an ornament or design on an object copied from a form of the object when made from another material or by other techniques,as an imitation metal rivet mark found on handles of prehistoric pottery
Derived forms
skeuomorphic
adjective
Word origin
[1889; ‹ Gk skeû(os) vessel, implement + -o- + -morph (cf. zoomorphic)]-o- is the typical ending of the first element of compounds of Greek origin (as -i- is, in compounds of Latin origin), used regularly in forming new compounds with elementsof Greek origin and often used in English as a connective irrespective of etymology(Franco-Italian; geography; seriocomic; speedometer); -morph is a combining form meaning “form, structure,” of the kind specified by the initialelement. Other words that use the affix -morph include: allomorph, endomorph, lagomorph, paramorph, rhizomorph