| 释义 |
epergne|ɪˈpɜːn|
Also 8 epergn, epargne.
[perh. a corruption of Fr. épargne saving, economy; cf. quot. 1779; but there is no evidence to show how the word acquired its present meaning.]
A centre-dish, or centre ornament for the dinner-table, now often in a branched form, each branch supporting a small dish for dessert or the like, or a vase for flowers. (From our quots. it appears that the earlier use was chiefly to hold pickles.)
1761Bill of Fare in Pennant London (1813) 562, 2 Grand Epergnes filled with fine Pickles. 1775in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. 199 That Mr. Mayor be desir'd to order a handsome silver Epergn. 1779Mackenzie in Mirror No. 34 §6 In the centre..stood a sumptuous epargne, filled [with sweetmeats]. 1804Verses to Dr. Warton in Ann. Reg. 928 [His pupils present him with an epergne on his resigning the head-mastership of Winchester, hoping that it may remind him ‘of ‘Pickles’ left behind’]. 1819Banquet 60 Waiter, epergne, and tankard, beaker, vase. 1861Dickens Gt. Expect. xi, An epergne or centre-piece of some kind was in the middle of the cloth. |