orphrey

[ awr-free ]

noun

, plural or·phreys.

1. an ornamental band or border, especially on an ecclesiastical vestment.
2. gold embroidery.
3. rich embroidery of any sort.
4. a piece of richly embroidered material.

orphrey

/ ˈɔːfrɪ /

noun

1. a richly embroidered band or border, esp on an ecclesiastical vestment

Other Words From

• orphreyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orphrey¹

1300–50; Middle English orfreis (later construed as plural) < Old French < Medieval Latin aurifrisium, variant of aurifrigium, for Latin phrase aurum Phrygium gold embroidery, literally, Phrygian gold

Word History and Origins

Origin of orphrey¹

C13 orfreis, from Old French, from Late Latin aurifrisium, auriphrygium, from Latin aurum gold + Phrygius Phrygian

Example Sentences

Orphrey, or′fri, n. gold or other rich embroidery attached to vestments, esp.

From Project Gutenberg

An embroidered orphrey in the Victoria and Albert Museum belongs to the early part of the same century.

From Project Gutenberg

Judging from these, and the embroidered orphrey which the authorities bought from the Hockon Collection for £119 1s.

From Project Gutenberg

The shoulders were vested in a cope, and this cameo set in the centre of the orphrey.

From Project Gutenberg

The chasuble upon which this orphrey is placed is made of a lovely brocaded silk decorated with falcons, peahens, and roses.

From Project Gutenberg