antefix

[ an-tuh-fiks ]

noun

, Architecture.

, plural an·te·fix·es, an·te·fix·a [an, -t, uh, -fik-s, uh].

1. an upright ornament at the eaves of a tiled roof, to conceal the foot of a row of convex tiles that cover the joints of the flat tiles.
2. an ornament above the top molding of a cornice.

antefix

/ ˈæntɪˌfɪks; ˌæntɪˈfɪksəl /

noun

1. a carved ornament at the eaves of a roof to hide the joint between the tiles

Derived Forms

• antefixal, adjective

Other Words From

• ante·fixal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of antefix¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin antefīxa, neuter plural of antefīxus “fastened in front,” equivalent to ante- “before” + fīxus, past participle of fīgere “to fix”; ante-, fix

Word History and Origins

Origin of antefix¹

C19: from Latin antefixa (things) fastened in front, from fīgere to fix

Example Sentences

The antefix has the breadth of a hole and one eighth, and the thickness of one hole.

From Project Gutenberg