acroterium

American  

[ak-ruh-teer-ee-uhm] / ˌæk rəˈtɪər i əm /

noun

Architecture.

plural

acroteria

1. a pedestal for a sculpture or ornament at each base or at the apex of a pediment.

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Other Word Forms

• acroteral adjective
• acroterial adjective

Etymology

Origin of acroterium

Latinization of acroterion

Example Sentences

Fortunately a notable example has been preserved in the acroterium of the gable of the Heraion at Olympia, 51 a great disk of clay over seven feet in diameter.

From The American Journal of Archaeology, 1893-1 by Various

Mr. Failing, who was sitting alone in the garden too ill to read, heard a shout, "Am I an acroterium?"

From The Longest Journey by Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan)

The pediment and acroterium were adorned with statues—scarcely, however, to be distinguished at that distance.

From Jovinian A Story of the Early Days of Papal Rome by Kingston, William Henry Giles

The house had grown a story higher; and the tiled roof, now surmounted by a bronze acroterium, projected an intact outline against the light blue of the sky, where a few stars were growing pale.

From One of Cleopatra's Nights and Other Fantastic Romances One of Cleopatra's Nights?Clarimonde?Arria Marcella?The Mummy's Foot?Omphale: a Rococo Story?King Candaules by Gautier, Th?ophile

The gables are each crowned with a figure of Victory, sometimes called an "acroterium," from the architectural name of the tablet on which it stands.

From The Jewel City by Macomber, Ben