Definition of filigree
1 : ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces a headband decorated with silver filigree
2a : ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate designb : a pattern or design resembling such openwork a filigree of frostc : ornamentation, embellishment writings … heavy with late Victorian filigree — Jack Beatty
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Examples of filigree in a Sentence
a surface decorated with filigree and pearls
Did You Know?
Ornamental work formerly made with grains or beads is called filigree. It comes from an Italian word made from the Latin words for thread and grain. Today filigree is usually of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper, and is used chiefly to decorate gold and silver surfaces. Filigree can also apply to any ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design or to a pattern or design resembling such openwork.
Illustration of filigree
Origin and Etymology of filigree
modification of French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from Latin filum + granum grain — more at corn
filigree
Definition of filigree
filigreed
;filigreeing
transitive verb
: to adorn with or as if with filigree
Origin and Etymology of filigree
see 1filigree
FILIGREE Defined for English Language Learners
filigree
playDefinition of filigree for English Language Learners
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: decoration that consists of delicate and complicated designs made of fine gold or silver wire
FILIGREE Defined for Kids
filigree
playDefinition of filigree for Students
: decoration made of fine wire a jewelry box with gold filigree
Learn More about filigree
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See words that rhyme with filigree Spanish Central: Translation of filigree Nglish: Translation of filigree for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about filigree
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