contorniate

1 of 2

adjective

con·tor·ni·ate

kənˈtȯ(r)nēə̇t,

-ēˌāt

: encircled by a groove just inside the edge

a contorniate medal

contorniate

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly contorniato

⸗ˌ⸗nēˈätō

plural contorniates

-ts

also contorniati

-ätē

: a thin bronze contorniate medallion of the Roman Empire first used about the time of Constantine the Great supposedly in connection with a game like chess

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Italian contorniato, from past participle of contorniare to make a circuit or outline, from com- + torniare to surround, measure in circuit, from tornio, torno turning lathe, circuit, from Latin tornus lathe

Noun

contorniate from French, from Italian contorniato; contorniato from Italian, from contorniato, adjective