ōrnō

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.)

1. Præditus (præ-θετός) refers to a distinction which sheds lustre; instructus and exstructus to a qualification which attests usefulness; ornatus refers to both, for ornamentum is not, on the one side, that which is merely of use, like instrumentum, nor, on the other, that which is merely for show, like decus, but that which is of such eminent utility as to be prized even as an ornament. Instructus paints the qualification, etc., as a perfection which protects and secures; ornatus, as an accomplishment of an imposing nature. It is only in a higher point of view, and with reference to ideal claims, that ornatus is considered as a want; but, according to ordinary pretensions, it passes for a distinction of life. Cic. Phil. x. 4. Græcia copiis non instructa solum, sed etiam ornata. Sen. Tranq. 9. Sicut plerisque libri non studiorum instrumenta, sed cœnationum ornamenta sunt. 2. Instructus refers to persons and things, which act either offensively or defensively; exstructus to things which are for the most part only destined to be acted upon; for example, we say, instructæ naves but exstructæ mensæ. The exstructa are absolutely ready; the instructa are only relatively so, only fully prepared to be employed according to their destination. (iii. 260.) 3. Instructus refers to the possession of the means; paratus to the readiness of the possessor to employ them. (vi. 175.)