Main Entry:

¹fil·i·gree

Pronunciation:

\ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

modification of French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from Latin filum + granum grain — more at corn

Date:

1693

1: ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces2 a: ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design b: a pattern or design resembling such openwork <a filigree of frost> c: ornamentation, embellishment <writings…heavy with late Victorian filigree — Jack Beatty>

[filigree illustration]