Obs. Forms: α. 5 vynnett, vynette, -ett, 5–6 vynet, 5–7 vinet, 6 vinite, 7 vinnet; 5 venett(e, 7 venet. β. 6 vynyette, vyniet, viniet, vineyet, vineat, 7 vignet. [ad. OF. vignete, vignette (whence obs. It. vignetta (Florio), Sp. viñeta, Pg. vinheta) dim. of vigne VINE sb. Readopted in the 18th century as VIGNETTE sb.]
1. A running or trailing ornament or design in imitation of the branches, leaves or tendrils of the vine, employed in architecture or decorative work.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. 656. And þe vowsyng ful of babewynes [= baboons], Þe riche koynyng, þe lusty tablementis, Vynnettis rennynge in þe casementis.
c. 1420. Life Alex. (1913), 64. Bitwene þe pelers of golde, ware hyngande venettez of golde & syluere, wit leues of golde. And þe brawnchez of this venett ware sum of cristalle,… & sum of Onyches, and þay semed as þay hade bene verray vynes.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 7. Appareyled in Crymosyn, satyne, and purpull, embrowdered with golde and by vynyettes [Holinshed viniet] ran floure delices of golde. Ibid. Kyrtels of Crymosyne and purpul satyn, embroudered with a vynet of Pomegranettes of golde.
attrib. 1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 93. The Pervincle … Passing good and proper indeed for vinet and storie worke in borders.
2. = VIGNETTE sb. 1 b and 1.
α. 1467. Paston Lett., II. 336. For viij hole vynets,… prise the vynett, xii d. Item, for xxj demi vynets.
1573. Art Limming (1588), 2. Trace all thy letters, and set thy Vinets or flowres, and then thy imagery, if thou wilt make any.
1579. Fulke, Confut. Sanders, 691. Commonly such superfluous vinites (I trowe they call them) bee not set to, vntill they presse the whole leafe.
1612. Peacham, Gentl. Exerc., I. xv. (1634), 47. You may, if you list, draw … any kinde of wilde traile or vinet after your owne invention.
1637. Star Chamber Decree conc. Printing, 11 July § 9. That no person shall hereafter print … vpon any booke or books, the name, title, marke or vinnet of the Company or Society of Stationers.
β. 1584. Star Chamber Decree Printers & Stat. (1863), 10. That everie founder of letter, cutter and pocher, be likewise bound not to cast any letter, vineyet, mark, singing notes, or such like.
1611. Cotgr., Vignettes, Vignets; branches, or branch-like borders, or flourishes, in painting or Ingraverie.
b. An ornamental border on a page.
1630. Brathwait, Eng. Gentlem. Draught of Frontisp., Upon the other Border or Venet of the Picture, is presented a Summer Arbour. Ibid. In the middle betwixt the Venets, is the Portraiture of a comely Personage.
3. An ornamental title-page or similar production containing various symbolical designs or figures.
1562. Leigh, Armorie (heading), The Description of the Viniet with the circumstaunce thereof, contayned in the fyrst Page of the booke.
1570. Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), I. 688/2. Certaine there were which resorted to him, of whom some were drawers for his petygree and vyniet.
1625. F. Markham, Bk. Honour, IV. iii. § 3. Prudence … is to be esteemed aboue all other Vertues: for Philosophy cals it the Guide, and our Heraulds make it the first in the Vinet.
Hence † Vinetting (vignetting) vbl. sb. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Vignettement, a vignetting; a bordering, or flourishing with the branches of Vines, or other plants.
