chinoiserie
[sheen-wah-zuh-ree, -wah-zuh-ree; French shee-nwazuh-ree]
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noun, plural chi·noi·se·ries [sheen-wah-zuh-reez, -wah-zuh-reez; French shee-nwazuh-ree] /ʃinˌwɑ zəˈriz, -ˈwɑ zə riz; French ʃi nwazəˈri/ for 2. (sometimes initial capital letter)
a style of ornamentation current chiefly in the 18th century in Europe, characterized by intricate patterns and an extensive use of motifs identified as Chinese.
an object decorated in this style or an example of this style: The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.
Nearby words
- chinless wonder,
- chinmen,
- chinned,
- chino,
- chino-,
- chinone,
- chinook,
- chinook jargon,
- chinook salmon,
- chinookan
Origin of chinoiserie
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for chinoiserie
The Duchess looked elegant in a pale grey coat over a hand-painted silk floral “chinoiserie” dress by Jenny Packham.
Garner shows a Lambeth mug embodying this style of decoration combined with a suggestion of Chinoiserie around the waist.
The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia|C. Malcolm WatkinsMrs. Frederick Havemeyer has a similar bed covered with a Chinoiserie chintz.
The House in Good Taste|Elsie de Wolfe
chinoiserie
noun
Word Origin for chinoiserie
French, from chinois Chinese; see -ery
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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