intarsia

noun

in·​tar·​sia in-ˈtär-sē-ə How to pronounce intarsia (audio)
1
: a mosaic usually of wood fitted into a support
also : the art or process of making such a mosaic
2
: a colored design knitted on both sides of a fabric

Examples of intarsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The floor-length red-and-black floral dress, for instance, an intarsia of four different laces that took 1,500 hours to hand-stitch; or the 800 hours that were needed for an emerald-and-white silk plissé number, an incredible confection of flou and fan pleats anchored to an inner corset. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, 13 Apr. 2021 Details include inside-out effect shoulder seams, and a silk intarsia inside-out effect label on the back. — Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021

Word History

Etymology

German, modification of Italian intarsio

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intarsia was in 1867

Browse Nearby Words

intangible assets
intarsia
intarsiatura
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intarsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intarsia. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intarsia

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