earring

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(îr'rĭng, îr'ĭng) pronunciation
n.
An ornament worn on or pendent from the ear, especially the earlobe. Also called earbob.


earring, a personal adornment, sometimes an amulet, worn attached to the ear lobe. Since prehistoric times the ear has been pierced for the insertion of the earring; certain primitive tribes distort the lobe with plugs several inches in diameter or with heavy stones. Egyptians first wore large gold hoops, which eventually became smaller and supported pendants. In Babylonia and later in Assyria where the earring was worn by men to denote rank, the earring evolved into an exquisite work of the goldsmith's art. In Greece the finely wrought gold earrings often had tinkling pendants. The Romans were first to popularize earrings set with precious stones. Earrings were little used with the headdresses of the Middle Ages, but their use had a vigorous revival during the Renaissance and was also adopted by men; pearls were especially favored. In the 18th cent. the diamond earring became most fashionable; the 19th cent. saw extensive use of the cameo. With the invention (c.1900) of a screw device for attaching the earring, their popularity again increased.


Word Tutor:

earring

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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: Jewelry worn on or through the ear.

pronunciation Janet purchased expensive diamond earrings to wear on her wedding day.

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sign description: One F hand makes a pinching motion at the ear lobe.




Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'earring'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to earring, see:
  • Jewelry - earring: ornamental object hung from earlobe either by clasp or through hole pierced in lobe


  See crossword solutions for the clue Earring.
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - ørering

Nederlands (Dutch)
oorbel

Français (French)
n. - boucle d'oreille

Deutsch (German)
n. - Ohrring

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - σκουλαρίκι

Italiano (Italian)
orecchino

Português (Portuguese)
n. - brinco (m)

Русский (Russian)
серьга

Español (Spanish)
n. - pendiente, arete, zarcillo

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - örhänge

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
耳环, 耳饰

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 耳環, 耳飾

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 귀걸이

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - イヤリング

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) قرط, حلق الأذن‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮עגיל‬


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