Obs. [ad. L. exornātiōn-em (used Rhet. by Cicero and Cornificius), n. of action f. exornāre: see EXORN.]
The action of adorning, the condition of being adorned; decoration, embellishment. Also, an instance, method or means of embellishment; an adornment. Chiefly Rhet.
1548. Udall, Erasm. Par. Luke, Pref. 3 a. The painted colours, and exornacions of Rethorike.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 90. Exornacion is a gorgiousse beautifiynge of the tongue with borowed wordes.
1589. Warner, Alb. Eng. (1612), 331. For the greater reuerence and exornation of the present solemnity.
1624. Gag for Pope, 14. In the Orchards … amongst other exornations and furnitures of comelines, they haue whole trees of Sauine.
a. 1640. Jackson, Creed, XI. xlvi. Wks. XI. 364. Artificial exornations, or words more choice than such as spring out of the matters handled.
1657. J. Smith, Myst. Rhet., 221. Many times repeating … but yet with other words … and exornations.
