cuir ciselé

noun

cuir ci·​se·​lé

¦kwirˌsēz(ə)¦lā,

-ˌsiz-

plural cuir ciselés

: an ancient style of decoration made on leather book covers by outlining with a knife and stippling the uncut background

also : an object so decorated

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, chiseled leather

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