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epistyle

[ep-uh-stahyl]
noun
  1. the architrave of a classical building.
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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)
Related formsep·i·sty·lar, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for epistyle

Historical Examples

  • The stone beams of the epistyle lay from axis to axis of the columns.

    History of Ancient Art

    Franz von Reber

  • The epistyle is commonly spoken of by its Roman name, architrave.

    History of Ancient Art

    Franz von Reber

  • VI, may be said to have no frieze, but epistyle and cornice only.

  • Both faades were surmounted by epistyle, frieze and pediment.

  • The dentils appear in the cornice, it being possible for them to take their true position upon the epistyle.

    History of Ancient Art

    Franz von Reber

British Dictionary definitions for epistyle

epistyle

noun
  1. another name for architrave (def. 1)
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Word Origin

C17: via Latin epistӯlium from Greek epistulion, from epi- + stulos column, style
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