In heraldry or jewelry work, to pierce or perforate with a pattern of openings, creating a delicate lace-like effect.
From Old French 'ajourer' (to pierce with openings), from 'à jour' (to the light). The term reflects how metalworkers create patterns you can see through, letting light pass through the design.
Medieval jewelers and blacksmiths called their work 'ajoure' when they pierced metal so light shines through—it's technical language for making things beautiful by creating emptiness in just the right places.
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