supercilium

[ soo-per-sil-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Architecture.

, plural su·per·cil·i·a [soo-per-, sil, -ee-, uh].

1. the fillet above the cyma of a cornice.
2. (on an Attic base) either of the fillets above and below the scotia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of supercilium¹

1555–65; < Latin: eyebrow, haughtiness, equivalent to super- super- + -cilium eyelid, akin to cēlāre to conceal, English hull ¹, Greek kaliá hut, shrine; -ium

Example Sentences

They are also unique in that the females may have plumage typical of males — a subtle mask of facial lines that includes a white supercilium, a white bib and a bright rusty cap.

From New York Times

DESCRIPTION.—A more robust and thick-set animal than the two last; deep, woolly, black fur; no white supercilium nor white round the face.

From Project Gutenberg

It is neither more nor less than the word "supercilious," which is derived from supercilium, the Latin for "eyebrow," as I heard the Little Schoolma'am tell the children not long ago.

From Project Gutenberg