: a glass showcase or cabinet especially for displaying fine wares or specimens
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The history of "vitrine" is clear as glass. It comes to English by way of the Old French word vitre, meaning "pane of glass," from Latin vitrum, meaning "glass." "Vitrum" has contributed a number of words to the English language besides "vitrine." "Vitreous" ("resembling glass" or "relating to, derived from, or consisting of glass") is the most common of these. "Vitrify" ("to convert or become converted into glass or into a glassy substance by heat and fusion") is another. A much rarer "vitrum" word - and one that also entered English by way of "vitre" - is vitrailed, meaning "fitted with stained glass."
Examples of vitrine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebSmall vitrines arranged wall-to-wall are filled with whimsical, sculptural jewelry designed by Claude Lalanne and Lady Dior bags reimagined by an impressive roster of contemporary artists.—Amy Verner, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2023 At the entrance, guests will be greeted by vitrines of jewels and handbags perched atop shelves nearly reaching the ceiling.—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2023 At MoMA, Blue Collar paintings and their postscripts face off on either side of a vast vitrine filled with books and photographs of Los Angeles.—Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023 In a room adjacent to the main selling space sit displays and wall vitrines showcasing gala-appropriate jewels set with Colombian emeralds, unheated rubies and sapphires, and Type IIa diamonds (a gemological classification that denotes the finest, most limpid stones).—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2023 There are archaeological findings in museum vitrines to back that up.—Lizzie Tisch, Town & Country, 25 Apr. 2023 The ancient gold in the vitrines reminded me of a passage from Wilson’s introduction to the Odyssey.—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 The vitrines also include plaques listing the stones’ origins and properties.—Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2023 In the last act, the vitrines tilt every which way, as if after an earthquake.—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vitrine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French, from vitre pane of glass, from Old French, from Latin vitrum
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