frieze
frieze Lexical Profile
frieze Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling, or the central horizontal section of a classical entablature located between the architrave and the cornice.
"The museum displays a marble frieze from the ancient temple depicting a ceremonial procession."
A heavy, coarse woolen cloth with a rough, shaggy nap on one side, historically produced in Ireland and Friesland for outer garments.
"The shepherd wore a thick overcoat made of durable gray frieze to withstand the winter wind."
• verb
To ornament or decorate a wall or building structure with a horizontal sculpted or painted band.
"The artisans were commissioned to frieze the upper walls of the banquet hall with floral motifs."
To raise a rough, curly nap on the surface of heavy woolen cloth.
"Fullers used specialized wooden boards to frieze the coarse wool before it was dyed."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse "frieze" (an architectural band or coarse cloth) with its homophone "freeze" (to turn into ice or stop moving).
• Rhymes for frieze
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The architectural sense entered English in the mid-16th century via French "frise" and Italian "fregio," from Medieval Latin "frigium" (embroidered border, short for "opus Phrygium" or Phrygian work). The textile sense derives independently from Middle English "fryse," via Old French "frise," probably associated with Friesland (Frisia), a region renowned for woolen fabrics.