filigree
noun
fil·i·gree
| \ ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē
\
\
Definition of filigree
(Entry 1 of 2)
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 design
b
: a pattern or design resembling such openwork
a filigree of frost
c
: ornamentation, embellishment
writings … heavy with late Victorian filigree— Jack Beatty
filigree
verb
filigreed;
filigreeing
Definition of filigree (Entry 2 of 2)
: to adorn with or as if with filigree
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Examples of filigree in a Sentence
Noun
a surface decorated with filigree and pearlsRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
The interior features distressed wood, Western-style filigree metal and perforated leather seats. — Dallas News, "This round in Truck Wars goes to the 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 diesel," 23 Aug. 2019 The interior features distressed wood, Western-style filigree metal and perforated leather seats. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Ram 1500 diesel delivers whisper-quiet power and class-leading towing," 20 Aug. 2019 The first dozen were modest, just the name of the winning team and year, gold filigree, a diamond or two. — Rich Cohen, Harper's magazine, "The Wood Chipper," 19 Aug. 2019 Yet that’s exactly what’s made Drivin N Cryin one of the most intriguing underdog bands of the last 35 years: their sound is equal parts humbucker thunderstroke and acoustic filigree. — Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al.com, "Drivin N Cryin is still going ‘Straight to Hell’," 11 June 2019 There’s an appealing rasp to Bo Hansen’s singing, a kind of wearied soulfulness that fights with the surrounding din, which is driven by the kaleidoscopic organ filigree of Mary McKane. — Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "A pair of new acts on Chicago’s Trouble in Mind imprint update scrappy 90s indie rock with shaggy pop melodies," 29 June 2018 The Tanglewood reception wasn’t extravagant, even though his encore, the Chopin Nocturne in C-sharp minor, showed Lang Lang’s filigree legato at its very best. — David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com, "Lang Lang's recovery: Will he ever play in Philly again?," 12 July 2018 Shoes were either Moorish sandals with upturned toes of gold filigree or Roman sandals whose soles were lined with grass (but not that kind). — Luke Leitch, Vogue, "Dolce & Gabbana’s Como Chameleons: Naomi Campbell, Halima Aden, and Maye Musk Model Alta Moda in Italy," 6 July 2018 Tuna is opaque, with faint filigrees of ivory fat; unagi is lush and lacquered sweetly, while octopus has a sausagelike snap. — Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, "Radio Anago is Brendan Sodikoff’s sushi cave under the deep dark sea . . .," 3 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Another helpful move was using what Bugatti calls filigree side view mirrors, which let air pass through them. — Alex Davies, WIRED, "Want to Burn $9 Million to Go 236 MPH? Try the New Bugatti," 19 Aug. 2019 In contrast to the historic skyscraper’s filigreed crown of flying buttresses and pinnacles, the top of the new one would consist of curving glass walls extending beyond the building’s occupied floors. — Blair Kamin And Ryan Ori, chicagotribune.com, "Developers plan city's second-tallest skyscraper next to new Tribune Tower condos," 16 Apr. 2018 The Mulsanne is a large luxury superliner of Bentley refinement and filigree that work flawlessly as luxurious separators from the competition, mainly the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Mercedes-Maybach S600. — Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2017 Bentley Mulsanne: A battle hymn of tradition and stoic provenance," 11 Aug. 2017 St. Petersburg is a museum city, its gold-filigreed heart pulsing with tsarist palaces, Baroque churches, and Art Nouveau mansions. — Sophie Pinkham, New Republic, "How a Russian Street Art Museum Defies Kremlin Censors," 3 July 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'filigree.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for filigree
filigree
noun
English Language Learners Definition of filigree
: decoration that consists of delicate and complicated designs made of fine gold or silver wire
See the full definition for filigree in the English Language Learners Dictionary
filigree
noun
fil·i·gree
| \ ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē
\
\
Kids Definition of filigree
: decoration made of fine wire
a jewelry box with gold filigree
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