n. & v.
n. 1 a a thing used or serving to adorn, esp. a small trinket, vase, figure, etc. (a mantelpiece crowded with ornaments; her only ornament was a brooch). b a quality or person conferring adornment, grace, or honour (an ornament to her profession). 2 decoration added to embellish esp. a building (a tower rich in ornament). 3 (in pl.) Mus. embellishments and decorations made to a melody. 4 (usu. in pl.) the accessories of worship, e.g. the altar, chalice, sacred vessels, etc.
v.tr. adorn; beautify. ornamentation n.
[ ME f. AF urnement, OF o(u)rnement f. L ornamentum equipment f. ornare adorn ]