decorō

1. Comere and decorare denote ornament, merely as an object of sense, as pleasing the eye; ornare, in a practical sense, as at the same time combining utility. 2. Comere (κοσμεῖν) denotes ornament as something little and effeminate, often with blame, like nitere, in opp. to nature, noble simplicity, or graceful negligence, like κομμοῦν, whereas decorare and ornare, always with praise, like splendere, as denoting affluence and riches; decorare (from δίκη) in opp. to that which is ordinary and unseemly, like κοσμεῖν; ornare (from ὀρίνω?) in opp. to that which is paltry and incomplete, like ἀσκεῖν. 3. Comere implies only a change in form, which by arranging and polishing gives to the whole a smart appearance, as in combing and braiding the hair; but decorare and ornare effect a material change, inasmuch as by external addition new beauty is conferred, as by a diadem, and so forth. Quintil. xii. 10, 47. Comere caput in gradus et annulos; compare with Tibull. iii. 2, 6. Sertis decorare comas; and Virg. Ecl. vi. 69. Apio crines ornatus amaro. (iii. 261.)