brooch
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brooch

noun \ˈbrōch also ˈbrüch\

Definition of BROOCH

: an ornament that is held by a pin or clasp and is worn at or near the neck

Origin of BROOCH

Middle English broche pointed tool, brooch — more at broach
First Known Use: 13th century

Other Jewelry Terms

bijou, brilliant, chase, facet, lapidary, paste

Rhymes with BROOCH

brooch

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Ornamental pin with a clasp to attach it to a garment. Brooches developed from the Greek and Roman fibula, which resembled a decorative safety pin and was used as a fastening for cloaks and tunics. Brooches have been made in a wide variety of shapes throughout history, the ornamentation and design varying from region to region. In the 19th century, with the expansion of wealth and the creation of a market for inexpensive jewelry, the brooch became a popular form of personal decoration.

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