Definition

1. Noun:

   • A lace or net with a square mesh pattern: A type of decorative fabric or trimming characterized by its open, grid-like structure.
   • A boneless piece of meat or fish: Specifically, a longitudinal slice cut from the side of a fish after the bones are removed, or a boneless steak cut from the tenderloin of beef.

2. Verb:

   • To cut something into boneless slices: The action of removing bones from meat or fish to create a filet.
   • To decorate with a lace-like pattern: To adorn something with a design resembling a filet (the net-like fabric).

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The antique tablecloth was edged with a delicate filet.
  • For dinner, we had a salmon filet with lemon butter sauce.
  • He ordered a beef filet, cooked medium-rare.

• Verb:

  • Could you filet this trout for me? I'm not good at removing the bones.
  • The artisan filed the leather with an intricate geometric design.

Advanced Usage

• "Filet mignon": A specific, high-quality cut of beef filet from the smaller end of the tenderloin.
  • The restaurant is famous for its perfectly cooked filet mignon.

Variants and Related Words

• Fillet: This is an alternative spelling for "filet," used with the same meanings. "Fillet" is more common in British English, while "filet" is often associated with French culinary terms.
  • The recipe calls for a fillet of cod.

Synonyms

• Noun (for meat/fish): Boneless cut, slice.
• Noun (for lace): Net, mesh.
• Verb (for cutting): Bone, debone.

Related Phrases

• To filet a fish: The complete process of removing the bones from a fish.
  • Learning to filet a fish is an essential skill for any angler.

Noun

1. lace having a square mesh
2. a longitudinal slice or boned side of a fish
3. a boneless steak cut from the tenderloin of beef

Verb

1. cut into filets
   • filet the fish
2. decorate with a lace of geometric designs