Filigree

• POS: Adjective, Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: fil=i=gree

CIDE DICTIONARY

Filigree, n. [Corrupted fr. filigrane.].

 Ornamental work, formerly with grains or breads, but now composed of fine wire and used chiefly in decorating gold and silver to which the wire is soldered, being arranged in designs frequently of a delicate and intricate arabesque pattern.  [1913 Webster]

Filigree, a. 

 Relating to, composed of, or resembling, work in filigree; as, a filigree basket. Hence: Fanciful; unsubstantial; merely decorative.  [1913 Webster]
"You ask for reality, not fiction and filigree work."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Filigree, n. (also filagree)
1 ornamental work of gold or silver or copper as fine wire formed into delicate tracery; fine metal openwork.
2 anything delicate resembling this.

Derivative

filigreed adj.

Etymology

earlier filigreen, filigrane f. F filigrane f. It. filigrana f. L filum thread + granum seed

THESAURUS

Filigree

arabesque, basketry, basketwork, bead, bejewel, beribbon, bespangle, bonus, cancellation, cross-hatching, crossing-out, decoration, diamond, engrave, extra, extra added attraction, extra dash, feather, figure, filling, fillip, flag, flounce, flourish, flower, fret, fretwork, frill, garland, gem, grate, grating, grid, gridiron, grille, grillwork, hachure, hatching, illuminate, interlacement, intertexture, intertwinement, jewel, lace, lacery, lacework, lacing, lagniappe, lattice, latticework, mesh, meshes, meshwork, net, netting, network, ornament, padding, paint, plexure, plexus, plume, premium, raddle, reticle, reticulation, reticule, reticulum, ribbon, riddle, screen, screening, sieve, something extra, spangle, stuffing, superaddition, texture, tinsel, tissue, tracery, trellis, trelliswork, trimming, twist, wattle, weave, weaving, web, webbing, webwork, weft, wicker, wickerwork, wreathe, wrinkle

ROGET THESAURUS

Filigree

Crossing

N crossing, intersection, interdigitation, decussation, transversion, convolution, level crossing, reticulation, network, inosculation, anastomosis, intertexture, mortise, net, plexus, web, mesh, twill, skein, sleeve, felt, lace, wicker, mat, matting, plait, trellis, wattle, lattice, grating, grille, gridiron, tracery, fretwork, filigree, reticle, tissue, netting, mokes, rivulation, cross, chain, wreath, braid, cat's cradle, knot, entangle, cloth, linen, muslin, cambric, crossing, crossed, matted, v, transverse, cross, cruciform, crucial, retiform, reticular, reticulated, areolar, cancellated, grated, barred, streaked, textile, crossbarred, cruciate, palmiped, secant, web-footed, cross, thwart, athwart, transversely, at grade, crosswise.