orphrey

The story

1. Latin · derived fromaurum Phrygium“gold embroidery”
2. Late Latin · derived fromaurifrasium
3. Middle French · derived fromorfrais
4. Middle English · inherited fromorfray
5. English todayorphrey

From Middle English orfray, orfrei, orefreys (“elaborate (especially gold) embroidery; fabric adorned with such embroidery; embroidered ornamental band or border; decorative elements”), from Anglo-Norman and Middle French orfrais, orfreis, orfrois, and other forms, from Late Latin aurifrasium, aurifrisium, aurifrigium and other forms, from Latin aurum Phrygium (“gold embroidery”, literally “Phrygian gold”), from aurum (“gold”) + Phrygium (neuter singular of Phrygius (“Phrygian”), the Phrygians being renowned for their gold embroidery). The English word is cognate with Late Latin orfrasium, orfresium, Old Occitan aurfre, aurfres, orfres (modern Occitan aurfrés), Spanish orofrés, orifrés.

First known use, by meaning

• 14th–19th c. Any elaborate embroidery, especially when made of gold thread; an object (such as clothing or fabric) adorned with such embroidery.
• from 15th c. An embroidered ornamental band or border on an ecclesiastical vestment, altar frontal, etc.