epistyle

American  

[ep-uh-stahyl] / ˈɛp əˌstaɪl /

noun

1. the architrave of a classical building.

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epistyle British  

/ ˈɛpɪˌstaɪl /

noun

1. another name for architrave

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Other Word Forms

• epistylar adjective

Etymology

Origin of epistyle

1555–65; < Latin epistȳlium the crossbeam resting on the column < Greek epistŷlion crossbeam of architrave ( epi- epi- + stŷl ( os ) a column, pillar, post + -ion diminutive suffix)

Example Sentences

At the west, the length of the frieze is only equal to the width of the cella; at the east, the frieze is continued as far as the epistyle, or beams surmounting the colonnade.

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

Both façades were surmounted by epistyle, frieze and pediment.

From Problems in Periclean Buildings by Elderkin, G. W. (George Wicker)

The frieze, where of old would prance an exuberant processional of gods, is, in this case, bare of decoration, but upon the epistyle is written in simple, stern letters the word "EUSTON."

From Men, Women, and Boats by Crane, Stephen

They seem to have stood in the intercolumniations half-way up the outside wall and to have supported the epistyle.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg