orphrey

American  

[awr-free] / ˈɔr fri /

Also orfray

noun

plural

orphreys

1. an ornamental band or border, especially on an ecclesiastical vestment.

2. gold embroidery.

3. rich embroidery of any sort.

4. a piece of richly embroidered material.

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orphrey British  

/ ˈɔːfrɪ /

noun

1. a richly embroidered band or border, esp on an ecclesiastical vestment

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Other Word Forms

• orphreyed adjective

Etymology

Origin of orphrey

1300–50; Middle English orfreis (later construed as plural) < Old French < Medieval Latin aurifrisium, variant of aurifrigium, for Latin phrase aurum Phrygium gold embroidery, literally, Phrygian gold

Example Sentences

This sprang from the tailors' way of seaming together strips of fabric, which were then reinforced with a decorative vertical band called an orphrey.

From Time Magazine Archive

At Coire, in the Grisons, is a very beautiful chasuble, of which the orphrey is of the school of the elder Holbein or Lucas Cranach, applied and raised so as to form a high relief.

From Needlework As Art by Alford, Marianne Margaret Compton Cust, Viscountess

The lower border and the orphrey with coats of arms do not belong to the original cope and are of somewhat later date.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

The chasuble upon which this orphrey is placed is made of a lovely brocaded silk decorated with falcons, peahens, and roses.

From Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving by Christie, Grace

The orphrey is divided into tabernacles containing an archbishop, two bishops, and three kings and queens.

From Needlework As Art by Alford, Marianne Margaret Compton Cust, Viscountess