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Glite Dictionary
orphrey

orphrey

9.9
A decorative embroidered band on a priest's robe or altar cloth
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrfrē/
  • Archaic
: orpheón
  • The bishop's robe was adorned with a gold orphrey along the hem.

Examples

  • Medieval churches often invested in intricate orphreys for their altar cloths.

  • Many orphreys are handmade with intricate designs.

  • An antique vestment with its original orphrey is especially valuable to collectors.

  • The priest wore a beautiful orphrey on his robe.

  • An antique vestment with its original orphrey is especially valuable to collectors.

  • The bishop's robe was adorned with a gold orphrey along the hem.

  • Medieval churches often invested in intricate orphreys for their altar cloths.

Antonyms

bare
301 2.2

Not covered or protected, showing the plain surface

plain
33 2.5

Not attractive to look at

Surface Forms

orphrey singular
orphreys plural

Etymology

Orphrey comes from Old French orfroi, a word for 'gold work' or 'rich ornament' used to decorate clothes. That's why an orphrey is a richly embroidered band, often with gold thread, on church robes and altar cloths.