I. vin-ˈyet, vēn- noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French vignete, from diminutive of vigne vine — more at vine
Date: 1611
1. : a running ornament (as of vine leaves, tendrils, and grapes) put on or just before a title page or at the beginning or end of a chapter ; also : a small decorative design or picture so placed
2.
a. : a picture (as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding paper
b. : the pictorial part of a postage stamp design as distinguished from the frame and lettering
3.
a. : a short descriptive literary sketch
b. : a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)
• vi·gnett·ist -ˈye-tist noun
II. transitive verb
( vi·gnett·ed ; vi·gnett·ing )
Date: 1853
1. : to finish (as a photograph) like a vignette
2. : to describe briefly
• vi·gnett·er noun