I. ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē noun
Etymology: modification of French filigrane, from Italian filigrana, from Latin filum + granum grain — more at corn
Date: 1693
1. : ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper applied chiefly to gold and silver surfaces
2.
a. : 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 2a
]
II. transitive verb
( fil·i·greed ; fil·i·gree·ing )
Date: 1831
: to adorn with or as if with filigree