ORNATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ornate mean? 

• ORNATE (adjective)
  The adjective ORNATE has 1 sense:

1. marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details

  Familiarity information: ORNATE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ORNATE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details

Synonyms:

flowery; ornate

Context example:

ornate rhetoric taught out of the rule of Plato

Similar:

rhetorical (given to rhetoric, emphasizing style at the expense of thought)

Derivation:

ornateness (high-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation)

 Context examples 

Ornate items including crucifixes and chess pieces were fashioned from walrus ivory by craftsmen of the age.

(Lost Norse of Greenland fuelled the medieval ivory trade, ancient walrus DNA suggests, University of Cambridge)

Walrus ivory was a valuable medieval commodity, used to carve luxury items such as ornate crucifixes or pieces for games like chess and Viking favourite hnefatafl.

(Over-hunting walruses contributed to the collapse of Norse Greenland, University of Cambridge)

Far be it from us, in the present comparatively imperfect state of the resources of our establishment, to endeavour to follow our distinguished townsman through the smoothly-flowing periods of his polished and highly-ornate address!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)