filigree
Other forms: filigreed; filigrees
Ancient handmade jewelry is often known for its filigree, which is a noun describing delicate ornamental work made of some type of metal.
Filigree comes from the Latin word for thread. Usually the strands of silver, gold, or wire used for this type of ornamentation is so fine, it appears almost like thin threads wound together. It wouldn’t be a bad find to stumble on a chest full of gold filigree-framed items in your grandmother’s attic, especially if she wanted you to keep them! The word can also be used as a verb to describe the act of making filigree.
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delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)type of:embellishmenta superfluous ornament
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make filigree, as with a precious metaltype of:craftmake by hand and with much skill
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Vocabulary lists containing filigree
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