frieze

Noun

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. an architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the corniceType of architectural ornamentPart of entablature
  2. a heavy woolen fabric with a long napType of fabric, cloth
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Frieze noun

Origin: Perh. the same word as frieze a, kind of cloth. Cf. Friz.

Architecture (a) That part of the entablature of an order which is between the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face, either uniform or broken by triglyphs, and often enriched with figures and other ornaments of sculpture. (b) Any sculptured or richly ornamented band in a building or, by extension, in rich pieces of furniture. See Illust. of Column.

Cornice or frieze with bossy sculptures graven.— John Milton

Frieze noun

Origin: F. frise, perh. originally a woolen cloth or stuff from Friesland (F. Frise); cf. LL. frisii panni and frissatus pannus, a shaggy woolen cloth, F. friser to friz, curl. Cf. Friz.

A kind of coarse woolen cloth or stuff with a shaggy or tufted (friezed) nap on one side. “Robes of frieze.” Oliver Goldsmith


Frieze transitive verb

To make a nap on (cloth); to friz. See Friz, transitive verb, 2.

Friezing machine, a machine for friezing cloth; a friezing machine.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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