ornament

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   be an ornament to

   stars ornamented the Christmas tree

2. 2
   noun

   An element of decoration; that which embellishes or adorns.

   Dust are our frames; and, gilded dust, our pride / Looks only for a moment whole and sound; / Like that long-buried body of the king / Found lying with his urns and ornaments, / Which at a touch of light, an air of heaven, / Slipt into ashes and was found no more.

3. 3
   verb

   To decorate.

   We will ornament the windows with trim to make the room seem brighter.

4. 4
   verb

   To add to.

   The editor ornamented his plain writing, making it fancier but less clear.

5. 5
   noun

   something used to beautify

6. 6
   verb

   make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

7. 7
   noun

   A musical flourish that is unnecessary to the overall melodic or harmonic line, but serves to decorate that line.

8. 8
   noun

   The articles used in church services.

Etymology

From Middle English ornament, from Old French ornement, from Latin ornamentum (“equipment, apparatus, furniture, trappings, adornment, embellishment”), from ornāre (“to equip, adorn”). The verb is derived from the noun.