Dictionary.com

antefix

[ an-tuh-fiks ]
/ ˈæn təˌfɪks /
Save This Word!
noun, plural an·te·fix·es, an·te·fix·a [an-tuh-fik-suh]. /ˈæn təˌfɪk sə/. Architecture.
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.
an ornament above the top molding of a cornice.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of antefix

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin antefīxa, neuter plural of antefīxus “fastened in front,” equivalent to ante- “before” + fīxus, past participle of fīgere “to fix”; see origin at ante-, fix

OTHER WORDS FROM antefix

an·te·fix·al, adjective

Words nearby antefix

ante-Christum, antecourt, antedate, antediluvian, antediluvian patriarch, antefix, anteflexion, ant egg, antehall, antelope, antemeridian
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use antefix in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antefix

antefix
/ (ˈæntɪˌfɪks) /
noun plural -fixes or -fixa (-ˌfɪksə)
a carved ornament at the eaves of a roof to hide the joint between the tiles

Derived forms of antefix

antefixal (ˌæntɪˈfɪksəl), adjective

Word Origin for antefix

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
FEEDBACK