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lacework

lacework

1 6.8
A delicate open pattern of threads used to decorate veils or dresses
  • noun
  • /ˈleɪsˌwɜrk/
translation icon : encaje
  • The garden's trellis was covered in a beautiful lacework of delicate vines and flowers.
  • delicate lacework
  • lacework pattern

Examples

  • Temples dripped into cones and turrets like sand castles on a beach, their white marble lacework glowing in the moonlight, seemed to rise up out of the rushing water.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The lacework pattern of snow on the wrought-iron railing, and I remember my girl in the dusk of Christmas Eve walking across the worn red carpet to stand there at the window, watching the lights of the Big Town coming on in the purple-gray.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Within, white streaks formed little lacework doilies.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • She covered the brandy-cask table with a fine piece of valley lacework.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Lacework of trees against the sky, the swing of the road among groves and glades.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The squat brown teapot on the table exhaled a fragrant ghost of bergamot over the eggshell-white cloth with its fringe of crocheted lacework.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The artist created a stunning lacework pattern that adorned the wedding dress.

  • The museum displayed a magnificent lacework panel intricately woven with colorful threads.

Synonyms

lace
vslacework
79 2.0

A thin decorative cloth made from threads in open patterns used on clothes

is a general decorative fabric or pattern made in intricate open designs
filet
vslacework
  • Specialized
1 8.0

Lace made with a square net and simple patterns

is the broader delicate fabric not limited to square mesh constructions
tatting
vslacework
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A way of making small, pretty lace by hand with a shuttle or needle

focuses on the finished decorative fabric rather than the specific craft method
bobbin lace
vslacework
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A handmade decorative cloth made by twisting thread wound on small wooden spools around pins on a pillow

is the broader decorative fabric not limited to that specific handmade technique
stitchery
vslacework
1 6.8

Decorative sewing done with a needle and thread

is the delicate open patterned fabric rather than general decorative sewing
stitchwork
vslacework
1 3.6

Work made by sewing or knitting to make patterns on cloth like a quilt

is a delicate open design rather than general stitch-based craft
meshwork
vslacework
1 7.9

An open structure of threads or wires woven like a net

is a delicate woven decorative fabric rather than any network-like structure
pillow lace
vslacework
  • Specialized
9.9

Decorative cloth made by twisting and braiding thread on a cushion marked with pins

is the general decorative fabric not tied to that pillow technique
point lace
vslacework
  • Archaic
9.1

Delicate cloth made by sewing with small needle stitches on a paper pattern

is the wider decorative fabric not defined by the needle on paper method
drawnwork
vslacework
  • Specialized
9.9

Decorative sewing where threads are pulled out of the cloth to make lace patterns

is the decorative openwork fabric itself rather than the thread-removal technique
fancywork
vslacework
  • Archaic
8.7

Decorative sewing like embroidery or lace that makes cloth look nicer

is the specific delicate woven decorative fabric rather than all embellishments

How Intricate

point lace
  • Archaic
9.1
lacework
1 6.8
openwork
1 8.0
plain-woven
  • Specialized
4.9

Surface Forms

lacework singular
laceworks plural

Morphology

lacework = lace + work (transparent) = lace + work

The meaning 'work made of or resembling lace' follows directly from the combination of 'lace' + 'work' in a productive compounding pattern.

Etymology

Lacework joins lace ('a delicate cloth with open, pretty patterns') and work ('something made'). So lacework means a made piece or pattern that looks like lace, which explains its thin, detailed, open design.