shagreen
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of leather: "shagreen" refers to a leather made from the skin of a shark or ray, characterized by a rough, granular texture. It is typically dyed green or black and used for covering small objects such as cases, boxes, or bookbindings.
- A rough skin: In a broader sense, "shagreen" can also denote the untanned skin of a horse or other animal, used for polishing or as a decorative material.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The antique box was covered in shagreen, giving it a distinctive pebbled surface. (The box was wrapped in a rough, granular leather from a shark or ray.)
- She used a piece of shagreen to polish the wooden handle. (She employed a rough animal skin for smoothing and shining the object.)
Advanced Usage
"shagreen skin": a specific reference to the leather itself.
- The craftsman preferred shagreen skin for its durability and unique texture. (The artisan valued this leather for its strength and rough finish.)
"shagreen-covered": an adjective describing objects coated with this material.
- The shagreen-covered telescope case was both elegant and protective. (The case was covered in this granular leather, offering both beauty and protection.)
Variants and Related Words
- Shagreen (adj): made of or resembling shagreen.
- The shagreen finish on the jewelry box was very fashionable in the 18th century. (The texture like that of shark or ray skin was popular in that era.)
Synonyms
- Leather: a material made from animal hide.
- Granulated leather: a term describing leather with a rough, pebbled surface, similar to shagreen.
Related Idioms
- None commonly associated with "shagreen". This term is primarily a technical or historical material name.