cire perdue

noun

cire per·​due

ˈsirˌperˈd(y)ü,

F sēērperdᵫ̅

: a process used in metal casting that consists of making a wax model (as of a statuette), coating it with a refractory (as clay) to form a mold, heating until the wax melts and runs out of small holes left in the mold, and then pouring metal into the space left vacant

Word History

Etymology

French (moulage à) cire perdue, literally, lost wax casting

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