openwork

American  

[oh-puhn-wurk] / ˈoʊ pənˌwɜrk /

noun

1. any kind of work, especially ornamental, as of embroidery, lace, metal, stone, or wood, having a latticelike nature or showing openings through its substance.

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openwork British  

/ ˈəʊpənˌwɜːk /

noun

1. ornamental work, as of metal or embroidery, having a pattern of openings or holes

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Etymology

Origin of openwork

First recorded in 1590–1600; open + work

Example Sentences

According to the exhibition catalog, “Aso Oke” was inspired by the handwoven openwork fabric of Nigeria’s Yoruba people, as well as the drooping fila gobi ceremonial cap worn by Yoruba men.

From The Wall Street Journal

On the back of the late Roman vessel, Meredith noticed abstract openwork shapes carved alongside a short inscription wishing the owner a long life.

From Science Daily

But her 1957 painted aluminum “12 Concentric Circles,” with its openwork curves spinning off into space, is a departure from the foursquare Constructivist model set by much geometric work of the period.

From New York Times

This show explores European lace which, like all lace, is a textile that involves no weaving and has openwork structure.

From New York Times

In each case, the crowning feature is an openwork ensemble, cut from a single block of wood, dominated by a large male figure.

From New York Times

Related Words

• mesh
• ornament