Disputed
niello
Definitions, pronunciation, related words, and community validation from players who tested this word in Spelling Bee.
6 LETTERS6 POINTS[niˈɛləʊ]
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When niello helps
Base Score
6
Before any board-specific bonus
Unique Letters
5
E I L N O
Two-Letter Start
NI
Useful for systematic scans
Ending
LO
Check this pattern late
- 6 letters
- 5 unique letters
- NI start
- LO ending
- repeated letters
Try it when
- niello is worth 6 points before any pangram bonus.
- It uses 5 unique letters, so it can fit boards that include e, i, l, n, o plus any remaining hive letters.
- Watch the repeated-letter pattern (L x2); those are easy points to miss when scanning quickly.
- The LO ending makes this a useful pattern check after you try the NI start.
- BuzzyWords has saved this word in 1 published Daily snapshot.
Pronunciation
[niˈɛləʊ][niˈɛloʊ]
noun
Any of various black metal alloys, made of sulphur with copper, silver or lead, used to create decorative designs on other metals.
noun
An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid.
verb
To decorate (a surface) using this technique.