acroter

/ əˈkrəʊtə, ˈækrətə /

noun

1. architect a plinth bearing a statue, etc, at either end or at the apex of a pediment

Word History and Origins

Origin of acroter¹

C18: from French, from Latin acroterium, from Greek akrōtērion summit, from akros extreme

Example Sentences

Acroteria or Acroter’s from ἀκρόν, Summa pars; they may be properly called Pinnacles, for Pins and Battlements were made sometimes more towring; but when they stood in Ranges with Rails and Balisters: Upon flat Building they still retained their Name, with this only difference, that such as were placed between the Angular Points, were stiled the Median, or middle Acroteria.

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The walls sloped slightly inwards and were surmounted by an acroter with metal spikes, capable of stopping whosoever might attempt to climb over.

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