Standard Lemma guide

craquelure

noun · 1 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: /kɹæk.əˈlʊə/
  • US: /kɹæk.əˈljʊə/
  • US: /kɹæk.əˈlʊɹ/
  • US: /kɹæk.əˈljʊɹ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The distinctive pattern of hairline cracks in the surface of an old painting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Qualifier: painting

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree French craqueler Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh2? Latin -(ā)tūram Old French -(ë)ure French -ure French craquelurebor. English craquelure Borrowed from French craquelure.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: craquelure — hairline cracks in painting
  • German: Craquelé — hairline cracks in painting
  • German: Craquelure — hairline cracks in painting
  • Italian: craquelure — hairline cracks in painting
  • Polish: krakelura — hairline cracks in painting
  • Russian: кракелю́р (krakeljúr) — hairline cracks in painting
  • Russian: кракле́ (kraklé) — hairline cracks in painting
  • Spanish: craquelado — hairline cracks in painting