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Synonyms

fretwork

American  
[fret-wurk] / ˈfrɛtˌwɜrk /

noun

  1. ornamental work consisting of interlacing parts, especially work in which the design is formed by perforation.

  2. any pattern of dark and light, such as that of perforated fretwork.


fretwork British  
/ ˈfrɛtˌwɜːk /

noun

  1. decorative geometrical carving or openwork

  2. any similar pattern of light and dark

  3. ornamental work of three-dimensional frets

"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

Etymology

Origin of fretwork

First recorded in 1595–1605; fret 2 + work

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Mr. Walker’s driving, multilayered fretwork helped propel the dark though often danceable sound of a band that helped pioneer industrial music by blending heavy metal intensity, new wave hooks and a punk taste for provocation.

From New York Times Dec. 3, 2023

Despite some impressive fretwork from the star, the revved up audience's attention drifts somewhat.

From BBC Aug. 26, 2023

Its fretwork of thin glass tubes was bent and shaped to resemble an old-fashioned bellows camera.

From Washington Post Apr. 16, 2023

Years later they married, and Louise displayed the cherished card, tucked into the fretwork of a bedroom dresser, for decades to come.

From Seattle Times Feb. 13, 2023

Here a fretwork wooden chef on his back, holding a board on which remains chalked today’s soup.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

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