cymatium

American  

[si-mey-shee-uhm, sahy-] / sɪˈmeɪ ʃi əm, saɪ- /

noun

Architecture.

plural

cymatia

1. the uppermost member of a classical cornice or of a cornice of similar form: usually a cyma recta in classical examples.

2. echinus.

---

cymatium British  

/ sɪˈmeɪtɪəm, -ʃɪəm /

noun

1. architect the top moulding of a classical cornice or entablature

---

Etymology

Origin of cymatium

1555–65; < Latin < Greek kȳmátion, equivalent to kȳmat- (stem of kŷma wave; see cyma) + -ion diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Over the capitals of the triglyphs the corona is to be placed, with a projection of two thirds of a module, and having a Doric cymatium at the bottom and another at the top.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio

The soffit, both of the upper and of the lower cymatium on the piers, projects sufficiently to admit the application of the customary marble incrustation.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Van Millingen, Alexander

To the right and left of the lintel, which rests upon the jambs, there are to be projections fashioned like projecting bases and jointed to a nicety with the cymatium itself.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio

As was customary, the shelf takes the form of a cymatium, and the projections above the consoles and central panel are characteristic details.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank

Let the height of the capital be divided into three parts, of which one will form the abacus with its cymatium, the second the echinus with its annulets, and the third the necking.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio