agraffe

American  

[uh-graf] / əˈgræf /

Or agrafe

noun

1. a small cramp iron.

2. a clasp, often richly ornamented, for clothing or armor.

3. a device, as a hook, for preventing vibration in the section of a piano string between the pin and the bridge.

4. (in classical architecture) a sculptural relief on the face of a keystone.

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agraffe British  

/ əˈɡræf /

noun

1. a fastening consisting of a loop and hook, formerly used in armour and clothing

2. a metal cramp used to connect stones

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Etymology

Origin of agraffe

1660–70; < French, variant of agrafe, noun derivative of agrafer to hook, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + grafe hook, cramp iron, probably < Germanic; grape

Example Sentences

It was encircled by a necklace composed of seven rows of garnets and fastened in front with an agraffe.

From On the Heights A Novel by Auerbach, Berthold

Sometimes he wore a biretta with a diamond agraffe and a high plume of heron feathers.

From Napoleon's Campaign in Russia Anno 1812 by Rose, Achilles

The children had already become such close friends that Aranka allowed Feriz Beg to carry her in to dinner, playing all the time with childish coquetry with the diamond clasp of his agraffe.

From 'Midst the Wild Carpathians by J?kai, M?r

So Countess Yarmouth appeared as a sultana, and his Majesty in a Turkish dress wore an agraffe of diamonds, and was very merry, was he?

From Henry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four Georges by Saintsbury, George

The king appeared in a Turkish dress; his turban was ornamented with a magnificent agraffe of diamonds; the Lady Yarmouth was dressed as a sultana; nobody was more beautiful than the Princess of Hesse.”

From Henry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four Georges by Saintsbury, George