Bordures

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A decorative border or edging that outlines a surface or object
2. A form of embellishment often used in textiles, manuscripts, or art to enhance visual appeal
3. The term can also refer to ornamental bands or frames that contain or highlight designs in various artistic contexts

Etymology: "Bordures" is the plural of "bordure," a heraldic and artistic term that English adopted from French alongside its close relative "border." The two words are doublets: they descend from the same source but reached English by different routes, so they have settled into related but distinct senses. "Border" came into English from Anglo-French and Middle English, while "bordure" kept more of its French flavour and was used mainly as a technical term. In heraldry, a bordure is the band running around the edge of a shield, and the word's narrower artistic sense grew from that same idea of a frame that surrounds and sets off what lies inside. Ornamental bands in decorative art, illuminated manuscripts and architecture carry on that picture of an edge that contains and highlights a design. The plural form simply applies this to several such bands or frames.