scrollwork

American

[skrohl-wurk] / ˈskroʊlˌwɜrk /

noun

decorative work in which scroll forms figure prominently.
ornamental work cut out with a scroll saw.

scrollwork British

/ ˈskrəʊlˌwɜːk /

noun

ornamental work in scroll-like patterns, esp when done with a scroll saw

"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 scrollwork

First recorded in 1730–40; scroll + 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.

Hidden in the filigreed scrollwork is a bas-relief of St. George on a horse fighting a dragon.

From Washington Post • Feb. 7, 2022

These fancy and fanciful houses are what can happen when you go nutso with a jigsaw: wooden gingerbread and curlicues and scrollwork and turned balustrades galore.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2021

High, vaulted ceilings soar above, covered in extravagant scrollwork.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2012

Motifs on the rings, brooches and pendants range from skulls to scrollwork, urns and starbursts of pearls and garnets.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2012

Pod stared at the visitor's boots, lovely things of red- dyed leather ornamented with black scrollwork.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023