agraffe

American  

[uh-graf] / əˈgræf /

Or agrafe

noun

1. a small cramp iron.

2. a clasp, often richly ornamented, for clothing or armor.

3. a device, as a hook, for preventing vibration in the section of a piano string between the pin and the bridge.

4. (in classical architecture) a sculptural relief on the face of a keystone.

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agraffe British  

/ əˈɡræf /

noun

1. a fastening consisting of a loop and hook, formerly used in armour and clothing

2. a metal cramp used to connect stones

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Etymology

Origin of agraffe

1660–70; < French, variant of agrafe, noun derivative of agrafer to hook, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + grafe hook, cramp iron, probably < Germanic; see grape

Example Sentences

Three days after the marriage had been annulled, she was wedded to Charles de Bériot, the violinist, and we read that "the Queen of France presented the bride with a costly agraffe, embellished with pearls."

From Garcia the Centenarian And His Times Being a Memoir of Manuel Garcia's Life and Labours for the Advancement of Music and Science by Mackinlay, M. (Malcolm) Sterling

A stately heron's plume, fastened by an opal agraffe, waved from his marten-embroidered kalpag; his gorgeous bearskin was held together in front by a gold chain as broad as a man's hand, set with gems.

From 'Midst the Wild Carpathians by J?kai, M?r

It was encircled by a necklace composed of seven rows of garnets and fastened in front with an agraffe.

From On the Heights A Novel by Auerbach, Berthold

Sometimes he wore a biretta with a diamond agraffe and a high plume of heron feathers.

From Napoleon's Campaign in Russia Anno 1812 by Rose, Achilles

His eyes sparkled even more lustrously than the gems in the agraffe of the crescent on the sultan's turban.

From Mohammed Ali and His House by Coleman, Chapman, Mrs.