cornice

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A horizontal architectural element of a building, projecting forward from the main walls, originally used as a means of directing rainwater away from the building's walls.
  2. A decorative element applied at the topmost part of the wall of a room, as with a crown molding.
  3. A decorative element at the topmost portion of certain pieces of furniture, as with a highboy.
  4. An overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or the crest of a mountain and along the sides of gullies.
verb
  1. To furnish or decorate with a cornice.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɔːnɪs/ /ˈkoɹnɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-cornice.wav

Word forms

cornice cornices cornicing corniced

Etymology

From Middle French corniche or Italian cornice, possibly from either (1) Latin cornīx (“crow”) or (2) Latin coronis (“curved line, flourish in writing”), from Ancient Greek κορωνίς (korōnís). See also corniche.

Synonyms

Related words

Translations

Danish: stuk German: Stuckleiste German: Fries German: Randleiste
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