finery

¹

[ fahy-nuh-ree ]

noun

1. fine or showy dress, ornaments, etc.

finery

²

[ fahy-nuh-ree ]

noun

, Metalworking.

, plural fin·er·ies.

1. a hearth for converting cast iron into wrought iron; refinery.

finery

¹

/ ˈfaɪnərɪ /

noun

1. a hearth for converting cast iron into wrought iron

finery

²

/ ˈfaɪnərɪ /

noun

1. elaborate or showy decoration, esp clothing and jewellery

Word History and Origins

Origin of finery¹

First recorded in 1670–80; fine ¹ + -ery

Origin of finery²

1600–10; < Middle French finerie, equivalent to fin ( er ) to refine ( fine ¹ ) + erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of finery¹

C17: from Old French finerie , from finer to refine; see fine ¹

Example Sentences

They said she had dressed up in her bridal finery and led a procession around the village streets, before climbing into the pyre of Maal Singh, her husband of seven months.

From BBC

When they died, around 510 B.C.E., they were nearly 2 meters tall and buried 10 kilometers apart in two fine graves, surrounded by gilded drinking horns, rich cloth, and finery of gold, amber, and ivory.

From Science Magazine

The majestic entry is typically reserved for stars dressed in their finery, but the official red carpet had not yet been rolled out.

From New York Times

Mona looked me up and down and saw my finery was new.

From Literature

Pierre-Auguste Renoir is here, too, with his bourgeois couple in sumptuous evening finery taking in an evening of theater from their box high above the stage.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apparel
• regalia