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Glite Dictionary
Greek key

Greek key

7.1
A repeating decorative border made from one continuous line that forms square corners
  • noun
translation icon : clave griega
  • Look at the Greek key!

Examples

  • Ancient Greek temples often featured the Greek key motif in their friezes.

  • She chose curtains with a bold Greek key border that matched the room’s décor.

  • The mosaic floor was edged with a stunning Greek key pattern.

  • The Greek key is beautiful.

  • The bathroom features a stunning shower curtain with a Greek key pattern that adds a touch of elegance.

  • The Greek key design on the vase creates a classic look that complements the modern decor.

  • They painted the walls with a Greek key border to enhance the room's overall aesthetic.

Synonyms

Greek fret
vsGreek key
8.4

A repeating design of vertical and horizontal lines that people use to decorate buildings and objects

is made from one continuous line forming repeated right angles
key pattern
vsGreek key
6.7

A repeated decorative border of straight lines that turn in square corners, often on vases and buildings

is created from a single continuous line forming a right angled border
fret
vsGreek key
9.4

A decorative border of repeating straight lines

is formed by a continuous line shaped into repeated right angles

How Decorative

Greek key
7.1
border
224 1.1

Surface Forms

Greek key singular
Greek keys plural

Morphology

Greek + key

The compound 'Greek key' names a specific ornamental pattern (also called a meander or Greek fret) that does not follow from the literal meanings of 'Greek' (pertaining to Greece) plus 'key' (a device for locks). Because 'key' has no transparent relation to a repeated right‑angle decorative border, a B1 learner who only knows the constituents would not reliably infer this specialized design sense.

Etymology

Greek key gets its name from how the design looks: one continuous line that makes repeated square turns, making shapes like the teeth of a key. So people used the word for a repeating 'border' or 'pattern' found in Greek art, and today Greek key means that decorative border design.