Standard Lemma guide

cloisonne

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A decorative technique for metalwork, especially brass, whereby colored enamel is baked in partitions (cloisons) between raised ridges of the metal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • Cloisonne is sometimes seen as a cheaper alternative to jewelled encrustation or filigree.
  • Zoë wore a pair of cloisonne earrings she had bought in France.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Objects decorated by this technique collectively.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • The museum had a fine collection of medieval Italian cloisonne.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

(for metals) having areas separated by metal and filled with colored enamel and fired

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: champleve

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

enamelware in which colored areas are separated by thin metal strips

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: enamelware

History

Etymology

From French cloisonné (“partitioned”).

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 景泰藍 /景泰蓝 (jǐngtàilán) — technique
  • Finnish: soluemalointi — technique
  • Finnish: cloisonné — technique
  • Finnish: cloisonnee — technique
  • Italian: cloisonné — technique
  • Polish: cloisonné — technique
  • Chinese Mandarin: 景泰藍瓷器 (jǐngtàilán cíqì) — collective noun for these objects
  • Finnish: soluemalityöt — collective noun for these objects
  • Finnish: cloisonnee — collective noun for these objects
  • Polish: cloisonné — collective noun for these objects