repousse

re·pous·sé  (r-p-s)

adj.

1. Shaped or decorated with patterns in relief formed by hammering and pressing on the reverse side. Used especially of metal.

2. Raised in relief.

n.

1. A design in relief.

2. The technique of hammering and pressing designs in relief.

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[French, past participle of repousser, to push back, from Old French : re-, re- + pousser, to push (from Latin pulsre, to beat; see repel).]