filigree
pronunciation
How to pronounce filigree in British English:
UK [ˈfɪlɪgri:]
How to pronounce filigree in American English:
US [ˈfɪlɪˌɡri]
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- Noun:
- delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)
Word Origin
- filigree
- filigree: [17] Etymologically, filigree describes very accurately how filigree was originally made: it was delicate ornamental work constructed from threads (Latin filum) and beads (Latin grānum ‘grain, seed’). The Italian descendants of these two Latin words were combined to form filigrana, which passed into English via French as filigrane. This gradually metamorphosed through filigreen to filigree.=> file, grain
- filigree (n.)
- 1690s, shortening of filigreen (1660s), from French filigrane "filigree" (17c.), from Italian filigrana, from Latin filum "thread, wire" (see file (v.1)) + granum "grain" (see corn (n.1)). Related: Filigreed.
Example
- 1. The art filigree tapestry is elegant and magnificent .
- 2. Strasbourg 's gothic cathedral is a riot of filigree stonework and leering gargoyles .
- 3. Amongst the jewellery recovered is a gold and platinum filigree ring with over 75 gemstones .
- 4. He made her a girdle of finely wrought gold and wove magic into the filigree work .
- 5. In addition to other decorative filigree , carved into a few exceptionally bright diamonds look like an angel .