tracery

[ trey-suh-ree ]

noun

, plural trac·er·ies.

1. ornamental work consisting of ramified ribs, bars, or the like, as in the upper part of a Gothic window, in panels, screens, etc.
2. any delicate, interlacing work of lines, threads, etc., as in carving or embroidery; network.

tracery

/ ˈtreɪsərɪ /

noun

1. a pattern of interlacing ribs, esp as used in the upper part of a Gothic window, etc
2. any fine pattern resembling this

Derived Forms

• ˈtraceried, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tracery¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; trace ¹, -ery

Example Sentences

The windows are ornamented by tracery, and the façade is enriched by a free use of carving.

From Project Gutenberg

"Nothing," answered the Andalusian, his dreamy eye wandering over the marble tracery on the wall above.

From Project Gutenberg

It was good to rest quietly and look upward into the dark tracery far overhead.

From Project Gutenberg

Through the tracery of the lattice came the warm breeze, bearing the narcotic scent of those tropic gardens.

From Project Gutenberg

In the starlight he could only see the tracery of the forest of palms, and here and there, ghost-like, a white dress flitting.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• architecture
• arrangement
• composition
• construction
• drawing
• form
• idea
• layout
• map
• method
• model
• pattern
• picture
• plan
• scheme
• study