niello

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: ni=el=lo

CIDE DICTIONARY

niello, n. [It. niello, LL. nigellum a black of blackish enamel, fr. L. nigellus, dim. of niger black. See Negro, and cf. Anneal.].

•  A metallic alloy of a deep black color.  [1913 Webster]
•  The art, process, or method of decorating metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.  [1913 Webster]
•  A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.  [1913 Webster]
•  An impression on paper taken from an ancient incised decoration or metal plate.  [1913 Webster]
•  An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

niello, n. (pl. nielli or -os)
1 a black composition of sulphur with silver, lead, or copper, for filling engraved lines in silver or other metal.
2 a such ornamental work. b an object decorated with this.

Derivative

nielloed adj.

Etymology

It. f. L nigellus dimin. of niger black