Filigree definition

fĭlĭ-grē
filigreed filigreeing filigrees
See word origin
Frequency:
Filigree is defined as delicate, ornamental work made of intertwined gold and silver wire, or a design that resembles this.

An example of a filigree is an intricately-crafted Christmas tree ornament.

noun
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Any delicate work or design like this.
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The definition of filigree is something made in a lace-like design.

An example of filigree used as an adjective is in the phrase a filigree decoration on a building.

adjective
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Filigree means to decorate with delicate work made of intertwined metal.

An example of filigree is to decorate a gate with a lace-like design.

verb
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Delicate and intricate ornamental work made from gold, silver, or other fine twisted wire.
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An intricate, delicate, or fanciful ornamentation.
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A design resembling such ornamentation.

Filigrees of frosting on a cake.

noun
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To decorate with or as if with filigree.
verb
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Delicate, lacelike ornamental work of intertwined wire of gold, silver, etc.
noun
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Like, made of, or made into filigree.
adjective
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To ornament with filigree.
verb
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A delicate and intricate ornamentation made from gold or silver (sometimes other metal) twisted wire.
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A design resembling such intricate ornamentation.
noun
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To decorate something with intricate ornamentation made from gold or silver twisted wire.
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Alternative Forms

Alternative Form of filigree - filagree

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
filigree
Plural:
filigrees

Origin of filigree

  • Alteration of French filigrane from Italian filigrana Latin fīlum thread gwhī- in Indo-European roots Latin grānum grain gr̥ə-no- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from Latin fīlum (“thread”) + grānum (“grain”)

    From Wiktionary

Filigree Sentence Examples

  • The wedding ring was white gold filigree with tiny diamonds.

  • The porch posts were black metal with a filigree design.

  • The chief manufactures are silk brocades, gold and silver thread, gold filigree work, German-silver work, embossed brass vessels and lacquered toys; but the brasswork for which Benares used to be famous has greatly degenerated.

  • The principal manufactures are gold and silver filigree work and embroidery, jewelry, muslins, shawls, glazed pottery and wood-carving.

  • Vidin exports cereals and fruit, and is locally celebrated for its gold and silver filigree.

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Words near filigree in the Dictionary