cornice

[ kawr-nis ]

noun

1. Architecture.
   1. any prominent, continuous, horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other construction, or dividing it horizontally for compositional purposes.
   2. the uppermost member of a classical entablature, consisting of a bed molding, a corona, and a cymatium, with rows of dentils, modillions, etc., often placed between the bed molding and the corona.
2. any of various other ornamental horizontal moldings or bands, as for concealing hooks or rods from which curtains are hung or for supporting picture hooks.
3. a mass of snow, ice, etc., projecting over a mountain ridge.

verb (used with object)

, cor·niced, cor·nic·ing.

1. to furnish or finish with a cornice.

cornice

/ ˈkɔːnɪs /

noun

1. architect
   1. the top projecting mouldings of an entablature
   2. a continuous horizontal projecting course or moulding at the top of a wall, building, etc
2. an overhanging ledge of snow formed by the wind on the edge of a mountain ridge, cliff, or corrie

verb

1. tr architect to furnish or decorate with or as if with a cornice

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornice¹

1555–65; < Italian: literally, crow (< Latin cornix ); for the meaning, compare Greek korṓnē crow, crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornice¹

C16: from Old French, from Italian, perhaps from Latin cornix crow, but influenced also by Latin corōnis decorative flourish used by scribes, from Greek korōnis, from korōnē curved object, crown

Example Sentences

The first step was to make it seven feet up from the window to a small ledge called a cornice.

From Literature

As your eyes adjust in the dark, unlit details fade in: a coat of aluminum paint on the cornice, a staircase through the curtain, a tracing of mortar among stones in the foundation.

From New York Times

Saturday found a backpack next to a broken snow cornice near the crater rim.

From Seattle Times

Standing near the mountain peak, the snowboarder triggered the avalanche on a cornice — an overhang of snow that can form on steep alpine slopes — and fell to his death.

From Seattle Times

People should stay away from all avalanche terrain and “avoid travel below big, steep slopes, cornices, cliffs, and rocky terrain covered in snow,” the avalanche center warned.

From Seattle Times