Filigree
/ˈfɪlɪˌɡriː/noun
Delicate ornamental work made of fine wire, especially in gold or silver.
Did you know?The word comes through French and Italian from Latin roots meaning “thread” and “grain,” a perfect name for metalwork so fine it looks almost spellbound.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
filigree
“Delicate ornamental work of fine wire, usually in precious metal.”
17th Century
French
filigrane
“Wire ornamentation; also a watermark-like design in paper.”
16th Century
Italian
filigrana
“Ornamental work of fine wire; also a watermark.”
Late Latin
Latin
filum + granum
“Thread + grain, referring to work made from thread-like strands and tiny granules.”
Classical Latin
Latin
filum
“Thread; filament.”