filigree English · revision 1358

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfɪl.ɪ.ɡɹiː/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an alteration of ''filigreen'' (1682) and earlier ''filigrane'' (1668),^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[der|fr|filigrane]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|it|filigrana]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[la|fīlum|t=thread, wire]] and [[la|grānum|t=grain]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Delicate jewel work made with threads and beads, usually of gold and silver (1693).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The name combines the fine wire and the small beads or grains used in the work.^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) Figurative uses for any delicate, intricate ornament appear from 1871,^(OED 1989) and the verb, “to adorn with filigree”, from 1831.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1668 – ''filigrane''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1682 – ''filigreen''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1693 – ''filigree''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1831 – verb, to adorn with filigree.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1871 – figurative use.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Delicate ornamental work of fine twisted gold, silver or other metal wire.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Any delicate, intricate or fanciful ornament or pattern.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To decorate with or as if with filigree.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[filament]]

+ * [[grain]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}