epistyle

[ ep-uh-stahyl ]

/ ˈɛp əˌstaɪl /

noun

the architrave of a classical building.

Nearby words

epistolic, epistolize, epistolography, epistrophe, epistropheus, epistyle, episyllogism, epit., epitaph, epitasis, epitaxial transistor

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 forms

ep·i·sty·lar, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epistyle

The stone beams of the epistyle lay from axis to axis of the columns.
History of Ancient Art|Franz von Reber
The plinth which forms the upper part of the capital—supporting the entablature by bearing the lower surface of the epistyle beam.
History of Ancient Art|Franz von Reber
The capital had a straight connection between the spirals, and the epistyle was stepped but twice.
History of Ancient Art|Franz von Reber
Both faades were surmounted by epistyle, frieze and pediment.
Problems in Periclean Buildings|G. W. Elderkin

The short band, corresponding to the triglyph, beneath the tnia moulding which crowns the epistyle; the listel.
History of Ancient Art|Franz von Reber

British Dictionary definitions for epistyle

epistyle

/ (ˈɛpɪˌstaɪl) /

noun

another name for architrave (def. 1)

Word Origin for epistyle

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