Decorate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decorating.]
Etymology: [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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for decorate; he lists it under adorn.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.