sgraffito

[ skrah-fee-toh; Italian zgrahf-fee-taw ]
/ skrɑˈfi toʊ; Italian zgrɑfˈfi tɔ /

noun, plural sgraf·fi·ti [skrah-fee-tee; Italian zgrahf-fee-tee] /skrɑˈfi ti; Italian zgrɑfˈfi ti/.

a technique of ornamentation in which a surface layer of paint, plaster, slip, etc., is incised to reveal a ground of contrasting color.
an object, especially pottery, decorated by this technique.

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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Compare graffito.

Origin of sgraffito

1720–30; < Italian, past participle of sgraffire to do graffito work, derivative of sgraffio a scratch, implement for drawing, itself derivative of (s)graffiare to scratch, draw on plaster with a pointed tool; see ex1, graffito

Words nearby sgraffito

sgd., sghwr, sgian-dhu, sgml, sgp, sgraffito, sgt, sgt maj, sgt., sgt. maj., sh
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for sgraffito

British Dictionary definitions for sgraffito

sgraffito
/ (sɡræˈfiːtəʊ) /

noun plural -ti (-tɪ)

a technique in mural or ceramic decoration in which the top layer of glaze, plaster, etc, is incised with a design to reveal parts of the ground
such a decoration
an object decorated in such a way

Word Origin for sgraffito

C18: from Italian, from sgraffire to scratch; see graffiti
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