Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Niello
Ni-el′lo
,Noun.
1.
A metallic alloy of a deep black color.
2.
The art, process, or method of decorating metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.
3.
A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.
4.
An impression on paper taken from an ancient incised decoration or metal plate.
Definition 2024
niello
niello
See also: niellò
English
A snuffbox, engraved and rubbed with niello before firing and polishing
Noun
niello (plural niellos or nielli)
- (metallurgy) Any of various black metal alloys, made of sulphur with copper, silver or lead, used to create decorative designs on other metals.
- 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage 2007, p. 283:
- a young woman named Renata, with a gesturing of her dark curls, beckoned him in with a cigarette-case of Russian silver and niello, which sprang open to reveal a collection of “smokes” […]
- 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage 2007, p. 283:
- An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid.
Verb
niello (third-person singular simple present niellos, present participle nielloing, simple past and past participle nielloed)
- (transitive) To decorate (a surface) using this technique.
Anagrams
Italian
Etymology
From Late Latin nigellum, from Latin nigellus.
Noun
niello m (plural nielli)
Related terms
Verb
niello
- first-person singular present indicative of niellare