sgraffito

[ skrah-fee-toh; Italian zgrahf-fee-taw ]
/ skrɑˈfi toʊ; Italian zgrɑfˈfi tɔ /

noun, plural sgraf·fi·ti [skrah-fee-tee; Italian zgrahf-fee-tee] /skrɑˈfi ti; Italian zgrɑfˈfi ti/.

a technique of ornamentation in which a surface layer of paint, plaster, slip, etc., is incised to reveal a ground of contrasting color.
an object, especially pottery, decorated by this technique.
Compare graffito.

Origin of sgraffito

1720–30; < Italian, past participle of sgraffire to do graffito work, derivative of sgraffio a scratch, implement for drawing, itself derivative of ( s)graffiare to scratch, draw on plaster with a pointed tool; see ex1, graffito

Words nearby sgraffito

sgd., sghwr, sgian-dhu, sgml, sgp, sgraffito, sgt, sgt maj, sgt., sgt. maj., sh

Example sentences from the Web for sgraffito

British Dictionary definitions for sgraffito

sgraffito
/ (sɡræˈfiːtəʊ) /

noun plural -ti (-tɪ)

a technique in mural or ceramic decoration in which the top layer of glaze, plaster, etc, is incised with a design to reveal parts of the ground
such a decoration
an object decorated in such a way

Word Origin for sgraffito

C18: from Italian, from sgraffire to scratch; see graffiti