the.com/openwork
Lace made of metal or wood: the holes are the point, not the gaps.
means A pattern of material (metal, wood, lace, or masonry) that is deliberately perforated or latticed, so the cut-away spaces form part of the design.
from A straightforward English compound of 'open' plus 'work' (as in craftsmanship or workmanship), dating to around the 1700s — the word simply names what it is: work that is left open rather than solid, whether in ironwork grilles, carved screens, or embroidered lace.
- definition
- ornamental pattern made by cutting or piercing material
- used in
- ironwork, embroidery, latticework, jewelry
- strength trick
- removing material can increase structural rigidity
- etymology
- literally work that is open, since 1600s