vignette

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a brief literary description
  2. noun a photograph whose edges shade off gradually
  3. noun a small illustrative sketch (as sometimes placed at the beginning of chapters in books)

Etymology

First attested in 1751. From French vignette, diminutive of vigne (“vine”), from Latin vīnea, from vīnum (“wine”). Replaced earlier Middle English vynet.

In classic literature

Synonyms

sketch

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