Dec"o*rate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decorated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decorating (?).] [L. decoratus, p. p. of decorare, fr. decus ornament; akin to decere to be becoming. See Decent.]

To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or honorary; to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to decorate the person; to decorate an edifice; to decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with honors.

Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets decorated her arms. Thackeray.

Syn. -- To adorn; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace. See Adorn.

Decorated style Arch., a name given by some writers to the perfected English Gothic architecture; it may be considered as having flourished from about a. d. 1300 to a. d. 1375.

© Webster 1913.