New Word: filigree

I just learned a new word: "filigree."

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/filigreed

It's a rare and pleasurable occurrence when I learn a new word, and I thought I'd share. Filigree refers to jewel work of a delicate kind made with twisted threads usually of gold and silver or stitching of the same curvy motif. As an adjective, it refers to anything very delicate or fanciful.

The NY Times published an article by Meghan O’Rourke I am still agog about:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/books/review/ORourke.html?_r=1&%20scp=2&sq=claire%20messud&st=cse&oref=slogin

Here's the sentence that caught my eye: "Bootie Tubb...is too young to accept that he lives in a world of filigreed self-absorption rather than pragmatic transcendentalism." Sigh. I wish I could write like Ms. O'Rourke.