释义 |
fil·i·gree I. noun also fil·a·gree \ˈfiləˌgrē\ (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: short for earlier filigreen, filagreen, modification of French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from fili- (from Latin filum thread) + grana grain, from Latin, plural of granum grain — more at file, corn 1. : ornamental work formerly with grains or beads but now especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper that is used chiefly to decorate gold and silver surfaces 2. a. : ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design b. : a pattern or design resembling such openwork [filigree 2a] II. transitive verb (filigreed ; filigreed ; filigreeing ; filigrees) : to adorn with or as if with filigree III. noun : ornamentation : embellishment < writings … heavy with late Victorian filigree — Jack Beatty > |