Epergne

Epergne

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.

Design

It generally has a large central bowl or basket sitting on four feet with radiating branches supporting small baskets or dishes andor candle holders, also from silver or cut-glass.

The branches can be anywhere from two and up to five and sometimes even more in number.

Use

The epergne can be used as a designer object to hold candles, flowers or ornaments for a holiday Etc. or can be used to hold side dishes, fruit, or sweetmeats, or can be used for chips, dips, or other finger foods Etc.

Name

Probably from French épargne meaning "saving", the idea being that dinner guests were saved the trouble of passing dishes, (although an epergne in French is called a surtout) in addition the word epergne in French can also mean spare another way of saying to save, or a spare meaning reserve or extra.


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  • '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 — /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] * * * ▪ metalwork  dining… …   Universalium

  • 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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