filigree

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A delicate and intricate ornamentation made from platinum, gold or silver (or sometimes other metal) twisted wire.

   To carry pure death in an earring, a casket, / A signet, a fan-mount, a filigree basket!

Simplified etymology

Filigree entered English in the 17th century and was originally spelled filigrane. It was formed from Latin filum “thread” and granum “seed,” in reference to its appearance.

From French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from Latin fīlum (“thread”) + grānum (“grain”).

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary