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epergne

[ih-purn, ey-pairn]
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noun

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

Origin of epergne

1755–65; perhaps < French épargne treasury, saving, noun derivative of épargner to save < Germanic; compare German sparen to save, spare
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epergne

Historical Examples of epergne

  • Howell and James would send him the epergne they had designed for a czar.

    Confessions Of Con Cregan

    Charles James Lever

  • A vase of flowers or a basket of growing plants can replace the epergne.

    The Art of Entertaining

    M. E. W. Sherwood

  • The epergne is supported by a base representing the genius of America.

    Village Life in America 1852-1872

    Caroline Cowles Richards

  • And just then his eye fell upon the epergne, a very old and beautiful piece of silver, that graced the dinner-table.

    Soul of a Bishop

    H. G. Wells

  • Then, on bending forward a little to glance behind an epergne, I found a face which it surprised and pleased me to see.

    The White People

    Frances Hodgson Burnett

British Dictionary definitions for epergne

epergne

noun

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

Word Origin for epergne

C18: probably from French épargne a saving, from épargner to economize, of Germanic origin; compare spare
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012