Curlicuing

/ˈkɜːrlɪkjuːɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Making or forming decorative swirling or spiral patterns, or moving in an ornamental looping manner.

Etymology

From 'curlicue,' a fanciful 19th-century word combining 'curly' with 'cue' (or possibly a play on 'curl' + French 'queue'). The '-ing' suffix makes it a present participle.

Kelly Says

Curlicuing is what happens when calligraphers and decorators let loose—those fancy swirling lines in old handwriting and ornamental designs are essentially visual doodling!

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