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 Project Gutenberg

Both façades were surmounted by epistyle, frieze and pediment.

From Project Gutenberg

And as you went on towards the head of the vessel was another apartment dedicated to Bacchus, capable of holding thirteen couches, surrounded with pillars, having its cornices all gilt as far down as the epistyle which ran round the room, but the roof corresponded to the character of the god.

From Project Gutenberg

Pope Leo I. erected in the centre of the quadri-portico a fountain crowned by a Bacchic Kantharos, and wrote on its epistyle a brilliant epigram, inviting the faithful to purify themselves bodily and spiritually, before presenting themselves to the apostle within.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg