Main Entry:

¹vi·gnette

Pronunciation:

\vin-ˈyet, vēn-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Middle French vignete, from diminutive of vigne vine — more at vine

Date:

1611

1: a running ornament (as of vine leaves, tendrils, and grapes) put on or just before a title page or at the beginning or end of a chapter ; also : a small decorative design or picture so placed2 a: a picture (as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding paper b: the pictorial part of a postage stamp design as distinguished from the frame and lettering3 a: a short descriptive literary sketch b: a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)

— vi·gnett·ist \-ˈye-tist\ noun