n. 1. Something that decorates or adorns; an embellishment. 2. A person considered as a source of pride, honor, or credit: a singer who is an ornament to the world of opera. 3. Music A note or group of notes that embellishes a melody. tr.v. (-mĕnt′) or·na·ment·ed, or·na·ment·ing, or·na·ments 1. To furnish with ornaments: ornamented the windows with hanging plants. 2. To be an ornament to: "The babies ornament her ankles, dangle from her pant legs" (Carolyn Chute). [Middle English ournement, from Old French ornement, from Latin ōrnāmentum, from ōrnāre, to adorn; see ar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] orna·ment′er n. |
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