egg and dart

American  

noun

Architecture.

1. a design for enriching an ovolo or echinus, consisting of a closely set, alternating series of oval and pointed forms.

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egg and dart British  

noun

1. 1. an ornamental moulding in which a half egg shape alternates with a dart, tongue, or anchor shape

   2. ( as modifier )

      egg-and-dart moulding

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Etymology

Origin of egg and dart

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

egg and dart

A pattern like that of the egg and dart cannot be disturbed, and Columbus himself cannot rediscover America.

From Modern Painting by George (George Augustus) Moore

Perhaps the most beautiful symmetrically curved figure of all is the so-called egg of the well-known moulding from such a temple as the Erechtheum, called the egg and dart moulding.

From The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed

Add another quantity, and we get the rich effect of the egg and tongue or egg and dart moulding.

From Line and Form (1900) by Walter Crane

Recurring Line and Form The everlastingly recurring egg and dart moulding and the volute are instances of the harmonious effect of very simple arrangements of recurring line and form.

From Line and Form (1900) by Walter Crane

Two members of an Ionic capital, consisting of two courses of an egg and dart moulding.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by A. H. Smith