contorniate

adjective

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con·tor·ni·ate | \ kənˈtȯ(r)nēə̇t, -ēˌāt \

Definition of contorniate

(Entry 1 of 2)

: encircled by a groove just inside the edge a contorniate medal

contorniate

noun

\ " \

variants: or less commonly contorniato \ ⸗ˌ⸗nēˈätō \

plural contorniates\ -ts \ also contorniati\ -ätē \

Definition of contorniate (Entry 2 of 2)

: a thin bronze contorniate medallion of the Roman Empire first used about the time of Constantine the Great supposedly in connection with a game like chess

History and Etymology for contorniate

Adjective

Italian contorniato, from past participle of contorniare to make a circuit or outline, from com- + torniare to surround, measure in circuit, from tornio, torno turning lathe, circuit, from Latin tornus lathe

Noun

contorniate from French, from Italian contorniato; contorniato from Italian, from contorniato, adjective