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Synonyms

inwrought

American  
[in-rawt] / ɪnˈrɔt /
Also enwrought

adjective

  1. worked in or closely combined with something.

  2. wrought or worked with something by way of decoration.

  3. Archaic. wrought or worked in, as a decorative pattern.


inwrought British  
/ ˌɪnˈrɔːt /

adjective

  1. worked or woven into material, esp decoratively

  2. rare blended with other things

"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 inwrought

First recorded in 1630–40; in- 1 + wrought


Explanation

Inwrought is an archaic and literary adjective that describes decoration woven or worked into fabric, stonework, metalwork or other material. To understand inwrought, imagine goblets encrusted or inwrought with jewels, and garments inwrought with silver and gold. If inwrought makes you think of a Tolkein-esque fantasy world where magically empowered swords are wrought on Elven fires, good. Inwrought comes from the Middle English word for "work or make," and should conjure the early English history Tolkein drew on for inspiration. If the Middle English associations are leaving you cold, just remember inwrought by remembering the relationship between wrought, meaning "worked or made," and wright, which means "maker," as in a playwright, or "a maker of plays." Pretty soon inwrought's meaning will be inwrought into the fabric of your brain.

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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:

A search for some identity that came with more inwrought despondence than he could manufacture out of his own gene pool?

From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2011

To a great charm of style he adds selectiveness; in A Daughter of the Morning, the characterisation is inwrought, just as in A Boy's Marriage it is passionate.

From A Novelist on Novels by Walter Lionel George

So inherent in his very structure, so inwrought in his conscious character, so deeply based, so cardinal, and so enduring and irreducible is this fourfoldness in Lincoln's inward life.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Clark S. Beardslee

As shown in his behavior, it corresponds with a relationship, as inherent and inwrought in his very being as his very breath.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Clark S. Beardslee

The same inwrought agreement shines in the profound affinity of Lincoln's kindliness and faithfulness and lowliness with his pure idealism.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Clark S. Beardslee

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