orphrey

[ awr-free ]

noun

, plural or·phreys.

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.

orphrey

/ ˈɔːfrɪ /

noun

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

Other Words From

• orphreyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orphrey¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of orphrey¹

C13 orfreis, from Old French, from Late Latin aurifrisium, auriphrygium, from Latin aurum gold + Phrygius Phrygian

Example Sentences

Upon the orphreys and hood are represented the seven Works of Mercy.

From Project Gutenberg

The word is also applied to the “orphreys,” i.e. embroidered strips or borders, on ecclesiastical vestments.

From Project Gutenberg

From this time onward, however, the embroidery became ever more and more elaborate, and with this tendency the orphreys were broadened to allow of their being decorated with figures.

From Project Gutenberg

The apparel is also painted on the alb, the orphreys and ornaments on the mitre, and a lozenge-shaped 127pattern on the cushion.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg