ˈopen-ˌwork
[See open a. 7.]
1. Any kind of work so made or constructed as to show openings or interstices in its substance, as in open-work of iron or other metal; esp. such work in knitting, netting, lace, embroidery, or the like, introduced for ornament in any textile fabric.
| 1598 Florio Worlde of Wordes 460/2 Zeganélla, such small fine net worke or open worke as gentlewomen use to make and weare vpon their heads in caules. 1782 T. Pennant Journey Chester to London 264 The fronts are of most elegant gothic open work. 1819 Shelley Cenci Pref. p. xiv, With balcony over balcony of open work. 1847 Tennyson Princ. iv. 185 Betwixt were valves Of open-work. 1863 Hawthorne Our Old Home 77 There is an iron gate, through the rusty open-work of which you see a grassy lawn. 1872 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire 68 The chariot was gorgeously decorated at the sides with ornaments of light open-work. 1894 Daily News 10 Sept. 6/5 On the bodice a saddle-shaped yoke repeated the openwork with its warm red lining. |
| attrib. 1812–16 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art I. 160 The whole interior is one series of open-work pannels laid on the Norman work. 1890 Daily News 24 Mar. 6/1 Open-work stockings will be the only wear when the weather gets a little warmer. |
2. Mining. Excavation open to the surface.
| 1811 J. Farey Gen. View Agric. & Minerals Derbyshire I. 359 The sinking was further continued, and the heaps on the sides of these open-works, or open-casts, increased. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., Open-work, a quarry or open cut. |
So
ˈopen-ˌworked a.,
ˈopen-ˌworking n.| 1835 Court Mag. VI. p. xiii/2 White open-worked silk gloves. 1836–9 Dickens Sk. Boz, Characters iv, Down came J'mima herself soon afterwards in..Denmark satin shoes, and open-worked stockings. 1886 Burton Arab. Nts. I. 75 Open-worked tarts and fritters scented with musk. 1896 Westm. Gaz. 25 June 3/2 The bolero of embroidered lawn very much openworked. 1844 G. Dodd Textile Manuf. vii. 225 The working round of the outline [of lace] is called ‘running’, while the filling up of the interior parts is termed either ‘fining’ or ‘open-working’. |