filigree Hear it!

filigree definition

fili·gree (fil′i grē′)

noun

  1. delicate, lacelike ornamental work of intertwined wire of gold, silver, etc.
  2. any delicate work or design like this

Etymology: altered from earlier filigrain < Fr filigrane < It filigrana < L filum, a thread (see file) + granum, grain

adjective

like, made of, or made into filigree

transitive verb filigreed -·greed′, filigreeing -·gree′·ing

to ornament with filigree

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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