richery

English

Etymology

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

Noun

richery (countable and uncountable, plural richeries)

1. (uncommon, archaic) High-quality, ostentatious items that attract attention.
   • 1925, “The House Carpenter”, in John Harrington Cox, editor, Folk-songs of the South, Harvard University Press, page 147:

     She dressed herself in richery,
     Most beauteous to behold;
     And as they walked along the street,
     She shined like glittering gold.

   • 1928, Dornford Yates, Perishable Goods:

     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.’

   • 1955, J.P. Donleavy, The Ginger Man, page 52:

     Better get back to the house or it'll weaken my position. Get her a little present, a fashion magazine filled with richery.

   • 1982, Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, quoting ‘The Ship’s Carpenter’ as sung by George Edwards, Folk Songs of the Catskills, page 275:

     She dressèd herself in richery attire,
     And so gaily where she did dress;
     She went a-walkin’ up and down the deck

2. (rare) Riches; an abundance of anything desirable.
   • 1990, James Hillman, “Eros”, in Essential James Hillman: A Blue Fire:

     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.