Epergne
[ə-PERN]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: French, early 18th century
1.
An ornamental centerpiece for a dining table, typically used for holding fruit or flowers.
Examples of Epergne in a sentence
"You can find a traditional epergne of apples, oranges, and bananas on my grandmother's dining table."
"I purchased a bouquet of daisies to place in the epergne."
About Epergne
Epergne is thought to have originated from the French word "épargne" (saving, economy).
Did you Know?
We can thank ancient Rome and Greece for the tradition of an epergne on the dining table. Centerpieces used local plants and animals to reflect seasons and themes. It dropped out of style in the English Middle Ages when diners preferred to focus on the most important part of the table — the food — but the epergne returned to fashion with a flourish in the 17th century under French influence.
