point d'esprit

[ French pwan de-spree ]

noun

, plural points d'es·prit [pwa, n, t de-, spree]

1. a bobbinet or tulle with oval or square dots woven in an irregular pattern.

Word History and Origins

Origin of point d'esprit¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “spirit (i.e., Holy Ghost) stitch”

Example Sentences

Ball gowns in point d’esprit and satin were singed and les smokings were, literally, smoked; a pair of waltzing extravaganzas trailed vaporous wisps.

From New York Times

Eugenia Kim's Devil headband is handmade from glossy black patent leather with a pair of sculpted horns and a point d'esprit veil.

From Los Angeles Times

Point d'esprit lace was crafted into romantic blouses, and woven through a sensational-looking black-and-white stripe silk dress.

From Los Angeles Times

Point d'Esprit.—A term applied to a small oval or square figure, peculiar to certain varieties of early guipure, and ordinarily composed of three short lengths of parchment or cord, placed side by side and covered with thread.

From Project Gutenberg

At present the term Point d'Esprit denotes a much smaller solid or mat surface, used to diversify the net ground of some laces.

From Project Gutenberg