Dictionary

richery en · NOUN

Etymology

In poetry, possibly a contraction of rich array. Likely of rich + -ery (“a class of things”); compare finery.

Meanings

1. (archaic, countable, uncommon, uncountable) High-quality, ostentatious items that attract attention.
   • Better get back to the house or it'll weaken my position. Get her a little present, a fashion magazine filled with richery. 1955, J.P. Donleavy, The Ginger Man, page 52:
   • The crimson hangings of the magnificent bed and the superb furniture and tapestries, the richery of the polished woodcarvings all reflects the departed majesty of ‘The Last of the Knights.’ 1928, Dornford Yates, Perishable Goods:
   • She dressed herself in richery, Most beauteous to behold; And as they walked along the street, She shined like glittering gold. 1925, “The House Carpenter”, in John Harrington Cox, editor, Folk-songs of the South, Harvard University Press, page 147:
   • She dressèd herself in richery attire, And so gaily where she did dress; She went a-walkin’ up and down the deck 1982, Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, quoting ‘The Ship’s Carpenter’ as sung by George Edwards, Folk Songs of the Catskills, page 275:
2. (countable, rare, uncountable) Riches; an abundance of anything desirable.
   • Despite the richeries that can be dug out of Aphrodite’s myths, neither all of love nor all of therapy can be awarded to one god. 1990, James Hillman, “Eros”, in Essential James Hillman: A Blue Fire:

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