epergne

[ ih-purn, ey-pairn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

epergne

/ ɪˈpɜːn /

an ornamental centrepiece for a table: a stand with holders for sweetmeats, fruit, flowers, etc

Origin of epergne¹

1755–65; perhaps < French épargne treasury, saving, noun derivative of épargner to save < Germanic; compare German sparen to save, spare

Origin of epergne¹

C18: probably from French épargne a saving, from épargner to economize, of Germanic origin; compare spare

In the center goes a silver or plated fernery, filled with ferns and asparagus vines, on a mirror tray, or an épergne with fruit.

They would arrange flowers in the épergne, she suggested—a few sweet williams and mignonette and a foxglove or two.

Everything was of the time from the épergne to the way the bread was cut.

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