Advertisement

Advertisement

cyma

[ sahy-muh ]

noun

, plural cy·mae [sahy, -mee], cy·mas.
  1. Architecture. either of two moldings having a partly convex and partly concave curve for an outline: used especially in classical architecture. Compare cyma recta, cyma reversa.
  2. Botany. a cyme.


cyma

/ ˈsaɪmə /

noun

  1. either of two mouldings having a double curve, part concave and part convex. Cyma recta has the convex part nearer the wall and cyma reversa has the concave part nearer the wall
  2. botany a rare variant of cyme
“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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyma1

1555–65; < New Latin < Greek kŷma something swollen, a wave, wavy molding, sprout, equivalent to ( ein ) to be pregnant + -ma noun suffix
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyma1

C16: from New Latin, from Greek kuma something swollen, from kuein to be pregnant
Discover More

Example Sentences

A Glossary for Architectural Rubberneckers YOU can be an insufferable know-it-all with architectural terminology: “Oh, that’s not a cyma recta, it’s a cyma reversa.”

When the concave part is uppermost, it is called a cyma recta; but if the convex portion is at the top, it is called a cyma reversa.

The cornice is of grey marble with a 'cyma recta' section, and is carved with an upright leaf.

Its general section is that of a cyma reversa surmounted by a flattened torus, and its appearance that of a vase decorated with curvilinear and geometrical tracery.

The parapet above, including its cyma and corona, is one half the height of the parapet below.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Cym.cymaise