caryatid
[kar-ee-at-id]
- a sculptured female figure used as a column.Compare atlas(def 5).
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Origin of caryatid
1555–65; < Latin Caryātides (singular Caryātis) < Greek Karyā́tides columns shaped like women, literally, women of Karýai, Laconia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for caryatid
Historical Examples
The one on this side is resigned, and as beautiful as a caryatid.
Rodin: The Man and his ArtJudith Cladel
She stands in the field like a caryatid, like a symbol of fertile nature.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 2 (of 4)Richard Muther
I do not know its history, though some one assured me that it was a caryatid.
The Near EastRobert Hichens
It stood probably in the portico and may have served as a Caryatid.
Problems in Periclean BuildingsG. W. Elderkin
A restricted use of the Caryatid Porch is a certain inference from the following facts.
Problems in Periclean BuildingsG. W. Elderkin
caryatid
- a column, used to support an entablature, in the form of a draped female figureCompare telamon
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin Caryātides, from Greek Karuatides priestesses of Artemis at Karuai (Caryae), village in Laconia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for caryatid
n.
"carved female figure used as a column," 1560s, from Middle French cariatide, from Latin caryatides, from Greek Karyatides (singular Karyatis) "priestesses of Artemis at Caryae" (Greek Karyai), a town in Laconia where dance festivals were held in Artemis' temple.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper