acroterium

American  

[ak-ruh-teer-ee-uhm] / ˌæk rəˈtɪər i əm /

noun

Architecture.

plural

acroteria

1. a pedestal for a sculpture or ornament at each base or at the apex of a pediment.

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Other Word Forms

• acroteral adjective
• acroterial adjective

Etymology

Origin of acroterium

Latinization of acroterion

Example Sentences

The pediment and acroterium were adorned with statues—scarcely, however, to be distinguished at that distance.

From Jovinian A Story of the Early Days of Papal Rome by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Mr. Failing, who was sitting alone in the garden too ill to read, heard a shout, "Am I an acroterium?"

From The Longest Journey by Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan)

In the great acroterium of the Heraion, for example, the surface was first covered with a dark varnish-like coating on which the drawing was incised down to the original clay.

From The American Journal of Archaeology, 1893-1 by Various

The term is often restricted to the plinth, which forms the podium merely for the acroterium.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

An ever present feature, also, is the palmette acroterium, treated in conventional ceramic style.

From The American Journal of Archaeology, 1893-1 by Various