Water-gilding. Gilding with a thin coat of amalgam.
Water-mark, on paper. A device resembling a transparency in the texture, which is printed during the process of manufacture, by means of wire or brass plates on the mould of the paper machine.
Water-scape. A fanciful term sometimes used to distinguish a sea view from a landscape.
Water-table, Arch. A horizontal set-off in a wall, sloped to throw off the wet.
Water-work, O. E. Wall painting in distemper.
“A pretty slight drollery, or the German hunting in waterwork, is worth a thousand of these bed-hangings, and these fly-bitten tapestries.” (Shakespeare.)
Watered (silk) having a shaded or diversified surface; produced by placing two pieces of silk lengthways between metallic rollers, where they are subjected to different degrees of pressure.
Watteau Pictures. Idyllic scenes of imaginary Arcadian enjoyment, and a certain fanciful style of costume characteristic of Watteau’s pictures, called in French “scènes de la vie galante.”
Wattle. An Australian name for various woods of the Acacia species.
Wattled, Her. Having a comb and gills, as a cock.