epergne

American  

[ih-purn, ey-pairn] / ɪˈpɜrn, eɪˈpɛərn /

noun

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

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epergne British  

/ ɪˈpɜːn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of epergne

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

Example Sentences

I imagined, for instance, that at Belshazzar's feast, the loftiest epergne of gold, surrounded by flowers and jewels, carried the monarch's proudest possession, a cake of carmine.

From Father and Son: a study of two temperaments by Gosse, Edmund

The epergne was a beautiful thing of crystal and gold, a celebrated work of art, regarded as an exquisite possession.

From T. Tembarom by Burnett, Frances Hodgson

A corpulent straddling epergne, blotched all over as if it had broken out in an eruption rather than been ornamented, delivered this address from an unsightly silver platform in the centre of the table.

From Our Mutual Friend by Dickens, Charles

A massive gold epergne of choicest Italian art, the gift of La Pompadour, stood on the centre of the table.

From The Golden Dog by Kirby, William

No, sir, no more than I dread the epergne.

From Love Me Little, Love Me Long by Reade, Charles