Having a delicate, open pattern resembling lace; characterized by fine, intricate details or openwork.
From Middle English 'lace' meaning cord or string, borrowed from Old French 'laz' meaning noose or snare. The adjective form developed in the 16th century to describe things with the delicate, perforated quality of decorative lace fabric.
The word 'lacy' beautifully captures how we perceive delicate patterns in nature - from frost on windows to spider webs. Interestingly, the original meaning of 'lace' was quite different, referring to cords used for snaring animals, which evolved into the decorative fabric we know today.
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