dentil

[den-tl, -til]

noun Architecture.

any of a series of closely spaced, small, rectangular blocks, used especially in classical architecture beneath the coronas of Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite cornices.

Origin of dentil

1655–65; < French dentille (obsolete), feminine diminutive of dent tooth

Related formsden·tiled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dentil

Historical Examples of dentil

The first and third courses are stretchers and the middle course is composed of headers laid to form a dentil course.
Huntley
Tony P. Wrenn
In the later temples of Ionia, as in the temple of Priene, the larger scale of the dentil is still retained.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2
Various
As a general rule the projection of the dentil is equal to its width, and the intervals between to half the width.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2
Various
The dentil was the chief decorative feature employed in the bed-mould by the Romans and the Italian Revivalists.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2
Various
The Venetian dentil was also introduced as a label round arches and as a string course.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for dentil

dentil

noun

one of a set of small square or rectangular blocks evenly spaced to form an ornamental row, usually under a classical cornice on a building, piece of furniture, etc

Word Origin for dentil

C17: from French, from obsolete dentille a little tooth, from dent tooth

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