belvedere

American  

[bel-vi-deer, bel-vi-deer, bel-ve-de-re] / ˈbɛl vɪˌdɪər, ˌbɛl vɪˈdɪər, ˌbɛl vɛˈdɛ rɛ /

noun

1. a building, or architectural feature of a building, designed and situated to look out upon a pleasing scene.

2. a cigar, shorter and with thinner ends than a corona.

3. Belvedere, a palace in Vatican City, Rome: used as an art gallery.

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belvedere British  

/ ˈbɛlvɪˌdɪə, ˌbɛlvɪˈdɪə /

noun

1. a building, such as a summerhouse or roofed gallery, sited to command a fine view See also gazebo

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Etymology

Origin of belvedere

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Italian: “fine view,” from Latin bellus “fine, charming, pretty” + vidēre “to see”

Example Sentences

At the top of the house is a small belvedere for viewing the countryside.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2016

The film opens, fittingly enough, with Miles thundering across the countryside on horseback, and ends with her dying on her back in a belvedere bathed in moonlight.

From Time Magazine Archive

Broadway has recently been devoid of the sort of play which is chiefly concerned with elegant seductions in a belvedere.

From Time Magazine Archive

Between the town of Th�oule and the belvedere of the Esquillon, down along the water's edge, one never tires of exploring the caves.

From Riviera Towns by Gibbons, Herbert Adams

Above a heavy cornice with prominent modillions springs the hipped roof, pierced on both sides by two handsome dormers and surmounted by a long, beautifully balustraded belvedere.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank

Related Words

• floor
• podium
• terrace