Beginning in the 19th century, fountains ceased to be used for drinking water and became purely ornamental.

First of all, it's purely ornamental - intended to be looked at, not used.

Melismas tend to be expressive or symbolic rather than purely ornamental.

They are not at all difficult to do, but you must understand that they would be purely ornamental.

Purely ornamental as they may seem now, decorative antique boxes hold the key to the social customs of an older culture.

"I've decided not to learn your language, because I haven't room for any more purely ornamental knowledge."

The turrets above were purely ornamental but had guns installed during wartime.

If your garden is purely ornamental, you can skip directly to trying to reintroduce some worms.

Their necks could endure no yoke, political or purely ornamental.

It was purely ornamental and seemed to send the message that the inhabitant of this house had nothing to hide.