epergne

epergne
/i perrn", ay pairn"/, n.
an ornamental piece for the center of a table, for holding fruit, flowers, etc.
[1755-65; perh. < F épargne treasury, saving, n. deriv. of épargner to save < Gmc; cf. G sparen to save, SPARE]

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 dining table centrepiece—usually of silver—that generally sits on four feet supporting a central bowl and four or more dishes held by radiating branches and used to serve pickles, fruits, nuts, sweetmeats, and other small items. Occasionally, epergnes have additional holders for candles, casters, or cruets.

      The earliest record of an epergne is in 1725, and extant pieces date from the 1730s. In the late 19th century similar pieces, made largely of glass or porcelain and intended to hold flowers, came into fashion.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Epergne — (i ˈpərn, ā ) is a type of table centerpiece, usually made of silver, but may be made of any metal or glass or porcelain.DesignIt generally has a large central bowl or basket sitting on four feet with radiating branches supporting small baskets… …   Wikipedia

  • 'Epergne — [ E] pergne , n. [F. [ e]pargne a sparing or saving; a treasury. Our [ e]pergne is a little treasury of sweetmeats, fruits, and flowers. Brewer.] A centerpiece for table decoration, usually consisting of several dishes or receptacles of different …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epergne — [ē pʉrn′, ā pern′] n. [prob. < Fr épargne, a saving < épargner, to save < Frank * sparanjan, akin to Ger sparen, to save] an ornamental stand with several separate dishes, trays, etc., used as a table centerpiece for holding fruit,… …   English World dictionary

  • epergne — noun Etymology: probably from French épargne saving Date: 1761 an often ornate tiered centerpiece consisting typically of a frame of wrought metal (as silver or gold) bearing dishes, vases, or candle holders or a combination of these …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • epergne — noun A table centerpiece, usually made of silver, generally consisting of a central bowl with radiating dishes or holders …   Wiktionary

  • epergne — e·pergne || ɪ pɜːn n. decorative bowl, vase …   English contemporary dictionary

  • epergne — [ɪ pə:n] noun an ornamental centrepiece for a dining table, holding fruit or flowers. Origin C18: perh. an alt. form of Fr. épargne economy …   English new terms dictionary

  • epergne — e•pergne [[t]ɪˈpɜrn, eɪˈpɛərn[/t]] n. fur an ornamental stand or dish for holding fruit, flowers, etc., used as a centerpiece • Etymology: 1755–65; perh. < F épargne treasury, saving, n. der. of épargner to save < Gmc; cf. G sparen to save …   From formal English to slang

  • epergne — /iˈpɜn/ (say ee pern) noun an ornamental piece for the centre of a dinner table, often elaborate in design, for holding fruit, flowers, etc. {? French épargne saving, treasury} …  

  • epergne —   n. central ornament on table …   Dictionary of difficult words

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