Furbelow

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈfəː.bɪ.ləʊ/, /ˈfəː.bÉ™.ləʊ/
• US IPA: /ˈfÉš.bɪ.loÊŠ/, /ˈfÉš.bÉ™.loÊŠ/

Origin

Corruption of falbala. First attested in the late 1600s or early 1700s. Not related to fur.

Full definition of furbelow

Noun

1. A ruffle, frill or flounce on clothing.
2. A decorative piece of fabric, usually gathered or pleated.
3. A small, showy ornamentation.
• 1954, Alexander Alderson, The Subtle Minotaur Chapter 4, The band played ceaselessly. Even when the other instruments were resting the pianist kept up his monotonous vamping, with a dreary furbelow for embellishment here and there, to which some few of the dancers continued to shuffle round the floor.

Verb

1. (transitive) To adorn with a furbelow; to ornament.

Related terms

• befurbelowed