tracery

noun

trac·​ery ˈtrā-sə-rē How to pronounce tracery (audio)
ˈtrās-rē
plural traceries
1
: architectural ornamental work with branching lines
especially : decorative openwork in a Gothic window
2
: a decorative interlacing of lines suggestive of Gothic tracery
traceried
ˈtrā-sə-rēd How to pronounce tracery (audio)
ˈtrās-rēd
adjective

Illustration of tracery

Illustration of tracery
  • tracery 1

Examples of tracery in a Sentence

This window is an example of Gothic tracery. the delicate tracery of a butterfly's wing
Recent Examples on the Web But viewed in time-lapse there is a larger pattern in the lights, their tracery. Ben Lerner, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023 The spots begin to move, and slip-sliding traceries of luminosity explode. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 While nearly all the rooms are impressive, the study is definitely a showstopper with its fancy plaster tracery ceiling. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2023 Elsewhere, a paneled library is adorned with an elaborate plaster tracery ceiling and antique Tibetan doors that open to a private office. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2023 The contrast is beautifully maintained by the physical production, in which even the breeze-block wall framing the patio, by the design studio dots, is on point: a tracery of concrete and air. Jesse Green, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023 From the outset indicating the centrality of composer Eiko Ishibashi’s score, we are drawn into the film with a long musical excerpt, only accompanied by fluid tracking shot, looking upward: a tracery of tree branches, feathered out against a winter sky. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2023 Yet, his exquisite graphite drawing positions a viewer behind an iron railing decorated with the elegant tracery of the king’s monogram. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2023 The building contains over 10,000 wooden diamonds and over 1,500 linear feet of Gothic tracery panels with more than 110 different designs inspired by European concert halls. Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 17 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tracery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tracery was in 1669

Dictionary Entries Near tracery

Cite this Entry

“Tracery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tracery. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tracery

noun
trac·​ery ˈtrās-(ə-)rē How to pronounce tracery (audio)
plural traceries
: ornamental work with many branching lines

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