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sgraffito

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sgraffito in a sentence

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
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