From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfretworkfret‧work /ˈfretwɜːk $ -wɜːrk/ noun [uncountable] PATTERNpatterns cut into thin wood, metal etc or the activity of making these patterns
Examples from the Corpus
fretwork• They reacted against factory-produced Victorian furniture with its frilly fretwork, clawed feet and laminated woods.• The houses were linked together with heavy fretwork windows so that you could not see the sky.• There are a few rattles here and there, but in general the fretwork is quite well finished.• A definite tick in the margin here for the quality of the fretwork.• The fretwork is well up to Valley Arts standard, with nothing that offends the eye or fingers in any way.Origin fretwork (1600-1700) fret “cut patterns” ((14-21 centuries)) (probably from Old French frete; → FRETTED) + work 