epergne

[ih-purn, ey-pairn]

noun

1. an ornamental piece for the center of a table, for holding fruit, flowers, etc.

epergne

/ ɪˈpɜːn /

noun

1. an ornamental centrepiece for a table: a stand with holders for sweetmeats, fruit, flowers, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of epergne¹

1755–65; perhaps < French épargne treasury, saving, noun derivative of épargner to save < Germanic; compare German sparen to save, spare

Word History and Origins

Origin of epergne¹

C18: probably from French épargne a saving, from épargner to economize, of Germanic origin; compare _spare

Example Sentences

Over at Shrubsole, I couldn’t look away from the contemporaneous Chinoiserie “epergne,” a botanically themed silver serving dish whose nine separate floating bowls are surmounted by a pagoda roof topped with a pineapple.

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And presently I realized the long tables, and all that there was upon them, and was especially delighted to perceive some flowers mounted upon the epergnes.

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There were also many other devices on the table, in silver baskets, vases, epergnes, porcelain figures, etc.; it was so crowded that our little dwarf could not have easily walked on the table this time.

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Marquis and Marchioness Townshend, whose marriage had taken place a few weeks previously, were welcomed with great enthusiasm on their return to Rainham, and were presented by the tenantry with a handsome silver epergne. 9.—Mr.

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From buttons to epergnes, we find this apparatus every where.

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