agraffe

or a·grafe

[ uh-graf ]

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.

agraffe

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agraffe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of agraffe¹

C18: from French, from grafe a hook

Example Sentences

The feather of an ostrich, fastened in her turban by an agraffe set with brilliants.

From Project Gutenberg

Agraffe, a-graf′, n. a kind of clasp or hook.

From Project Gutenberg

Striking out with his fists at two or three men who barred the way, he suddenly stood confronting these miscreants, the light of the torch glowing on the rich silk of his doublet, the jewelled agraffe of his hat, his proud, serious face almost distorted by overwhelming wrath.

From Project Gutenberg

His kaftan was of rich-flowered silk wrought with gold; beneath the kaftan peeped forth a dolman of cloth of gold; a costly oriental shawl encircled his loins; his scimitar, buckled on behind, sparkled with gems; a ger-falcon's plume, fastened by a diamond agraffe, waved from his turban.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg