Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A wide, low-pitched gable surmounting the façade of a building in the Grecian style.
- noun A triangular element, similar to or derivative of a Grecian pediment, used widely in architecture and decoration.
- noun Geology A broad, gently sloping rock surface at the base of a steeper slope, often covered with alluvium, formed primarily by erosion.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In architecture, a low triangular part resembling a gable, crowning the fronts of buildings in the Greek styles, especially over porticos.
- noun Hence In decorative art, any member of similar outline, forming a triangular or segmental ornament rising above a horizontal band, as in ironwork; such a member above the opening of a screen or the like: it may be entirely open and consist of light scrollwork only.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (Arch.) Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.; also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position and use. See
temple .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun architecture A classical
architectural element consisting of atriangular section orgable found above thehorizontal superstructure (entablature ) which lies immediately upon thecolumns ;fronton
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a triangular gable between a horizontal entablature and a sloping roof
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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Supporting the pediment were a pair of beautiful, naked women—caryatids, she remembered from college art class—who, like Joss, accepted their fate with unblinking stoicism.
Aching for Always Gwyn Cready 2010
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Above the pediment is a canopy with the Virgin and
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul An Account of the Old and New Buildings with a Short Historical Sketch Arthur Dimock
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The beauty of the marble from which stones and columns were cut might have seemed enough, but the builders carved groups of figures in the three-cornered space (called the pediment) in front between the roof and the stones resting upon the columns.
Introductory American History Elbert Jay Benton
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It is crowned with a pediment, which is too large for its span.
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For them the misty goal is not even in sight; the vale is bounded by huge pine-clad precipices, wreathed with snow and crowned with cloud; but to Meyrick it does appear quite definitely what we are, and as for the end, well, the avenue of the world seems to lead up to a neat classical building with pillars and a pediment, that is called the temple of reason and common-sense.
The Silent Isle Arthur Christopher Benson 1893
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In the pediment is the usual representation of the
Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Volume 3 France and the Netherlands, Part 1 Various 1885
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In the angle of the pediment is the figure of an angel greeting the new-born spirit, and raising his hand, points to the place prepared for him in heaven.
Paris: With Pen and Pencil Its People and Literature, Its Life and Business David W. Bartlett 1870
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Corinthian columns, surmounted by a half-circular pediment, which is richly ornamented.
Paris: With Pen and Pencil Its People and Literature, Its Life and Business David W. Bartlett 1870
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Capitol a group apparently prepared for a pediment, which is by no means mean.
North America 1862
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It is crowned with a pediment, which is too high for its span.
leafar commented on the word pediment
trouvé grace a google translate working on fronton
March 12, 2008