cippus

American  

[sip-uhs] / ˈsɪp əs /

noun

cippi plural

1. (in classical architecture) a stele.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cippi
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cippus

1615–25; < Latin: pillar, gravestone

Example Sentences

French savants here examine the ruins of the theatre and the immense Roman reservoirs in the hillside, and take "squeezes" of inscriptions marked upon the antique altar, column or cippus.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 24, March, 1873 by Various

The most important of them represents a personage of consequence, apparently a Magus, who seems to be in the act of consecrating a sacred cippus, round which have been placed wreaths or chaplets.

From The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 6. (of 7): Parthia The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations. by Rawlinson, George

The inscription was on a small cippus, and was seen in a great many different places, so no argument can be drawn from its provenience.

From A Study of the Topography and Municipal History of Praeneste by Magoffin, Ralph Van Deman

The cippus represented in the illustration below is manifestly the work of Caligula, because mention is made on it of his accession to the throne.

From Pagan and Christian Rome by Lanciani, Rodolfo Amedeo

A cippus stands at the corner to do the double duty of defining the limits of the basilica, and to keep the wheels of wagons from running up on the steps.

From A Study of the Topography and Municipal History of Praeneste by Magoffin, Ralph Van Deman