frieze

¹

[ freez ]

noun

1. Architecture.
   1. the part of a classical entablature between the architrave and the cornice, usually decorated with sculpture in low relief.
   2. any decorative band on an outside wall, broader than a stringcourse and bearing lettering, sculpture, etc.
2. any decorative band at the top or beneath the cornice of an interior wall, a piece of furniture, etc.
3. Furniture. skirt ( def 6b ).

frieze

²

[ freez ]

noun

1. a heavy, napped woolen cloth for coats.

frieze

¹

/ friːz /

noun

1. architect
   1. the horizontal band between the architrave and cornice of a classical entablature, esp one that is decorated with sculpture
   2. the upper part of the wall of a room, below the cornice, esp one that is decorated
2. any ornamental band or strip on a wall

frieze

²

/ friːz /

noun

1. a heavy woollen fabric with a long nap, used for coats, etc

frieze

1. An ornamental band that runs around a building. Friezes are usually on the exterior of a building and are often sculpted in bas-relief .

Word History and Origins

Origin of frieze¹

1555–65; < Middle French frise, perhaps < Medieval Latin phrygium, frigium, frisium embroidered cloth, embroidery, Latin Phrygium, neuter of Phrygius Phrygian

Origin of frieze²

1350–1400; Middle English frise < Old French; frieze ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of frieze¹

C16: from French frise, perhaps from Medieval Latin frisium , changed from Latin Phrygium Phrygian (work), from Phrygia Phrygia, famous for embroidery in gold

Origin of frieze²

C15: from Old French frise , from Middle Dutch friese, vriese , perhaps from Vriese Frisian

Example Sentences

After writing this, she called Jeff Klein, owner of the Sunset Tower Hotel, and asked him to light the plaster friezes.

From Los Angeles Times

They kept the field dimensions, re-created the limestone and granite façade, preserved views up to the elevated rail tracks and approximated the original frieze above the upper deck.

From Los Angeles Times

He stayed in a large bedroom on the first floor’s west wing, which features a delicate plaster frieze of mermaids and multiple layers of ancient wooden panelling.

From BBC

Remnants of his public works, like his crimson “Crack is Wack” handball court mural in East Harlem from 1986 and the 700-foot wraparound frieze in Woodhull Medical Center done the same year, remain highly visible.

From New York Times

Elaborate mosaics cover the walls, meandering geometric friezes resembling carved lace; “petrified weaving” is how Aldous Huxley described them in his 1934 travelogue, “Beyond the Mexique Bay.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• decoration
• embellishment