frieze

¹

[freez]

noun

1. Architecture.

   1. the part of a classical entablature between the architrave and the cornice, usually decorated with sculpture in low relief.

   2. any decorative band on an outside wall, broader than a stringcourse and bearing lettering, sculpture, etc.

2. any decorative band at the top or beneath the cornice of an interior wall, a piece of furniture, etc.

3. Furniture.,  skirt.

frieze

²

[freez]

noun

1. a heavy, napped woolen cloth for coats.

frieze

¹

/ friːz /

noun

1. architect

   1. the horizontal band between the architrave and cornice of a classical entablature, esp one that is decorated with sculpture

   2. the upper part of the wall of a room, below the cornice, esp one that is decorated

2. any ornamental band or strip on a wall

frieze

²

/ friːz /

noun

1. a heavy woollen fabric with a long nap, used for coats, etc

frieze

1. An ornamental band that runs around a building. Friezes are usually on the exterior of a building and are often sculpted in bas-relief.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frieze¹

1555–65; < Middle French frise, perhaps < Medieval Latin phrygium, frigium, frisium embroidered cloth, embroidery, Latin Phrygium, neuter of Phrygius Phrygian

Origin of frieze²

1350–1400; Middle English frise < Old French; frieze ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of frieze¹

C16: from French frise, perhaps from Medieval Latin frisium , changed from Latin Phrygium Phrygian (work), from Phrygia Phrygia, famous for embroidery in gold

Origin of frieze²

C15: from Old French frise , from Middle Dutch friese, vriese , perhaps from Vriese Frisian

Example Sentences

They’re lined up like figures on the carved frieze of a Roman sarcophagus, except the slight tilt of the camera has them poised to slide out of the frame.

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Inside Mayada’s home, the living room has a frieze of shrapnel spatter covering a wall.

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After writing this, she called Jeff Klein, owner of the Sunset Tower Hotel, and asked him to light the plaster friezes.

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They kept the field dimensions, re-created the limestone and granite façade, preserved views up to the elevated rail tracks and approximated the original frieze above the upper deck.

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He stayed in a large bedroom on the first floor’s west wing, which features a delicate plaster frieze of mermaids and multiple layers of ancient wooden panelling.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• decoration 
• embellishment