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antefix

[an-tuh-fiks]
noun, plural an·te·fix·es, an·te·fix·a [an-tuh-fik-suh] /ˈæn təˌfɪk sə/. Architecture.
  1. an upright ornament at the eaves of a tiled roof, to conceal the foot of a row of convex tiles that cover the joints of the flat tiles.
  2. an ornament above the top molding of a cornice.
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Origin of antefix

1825–35; < Latin antefīxa, neuter plural of antefīxus fastened in front, equivalent to ante- ante- + fīxus past participle of fīgere to fix
Related formsan·te·fix·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for antefix

Historical Examples

  • The antefix has the breadth of a hole and one eighth, and the thickness of one hole.

    Ten Books on Architecture

    Vitruvius

British Dictionary definitions for antefix

antefix

noun plural -fixes or -fixa (-ˌfɪksə)
  1. a carved ornament at the eaves of a roof to hide the joint between the tiles
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Derived Formsantefixal (ˌæntɪˈfɪksəl), adjective

Word Origin

C19: from Latin antefixa (things) fastened in front, from fīgere to fix
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012