cornice

[ kawr-nis ]

noun

1. Architecture.
   1. any prominent, continuous, horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other construction, or dividing it horizontally for compositional purposes.
   2. the uppermost member of a classical entablature, consisting of a bed molding, a corona, and a cymatium, with rows of dentils, modillions, etc., often placed between the bed molding and the corona.
2. any of various other ornamental horizontal moldings or bands, as for concealing hooks or rods from which curtains are hung or for supporting picture hooks.
3. a mass of snow, ice, etc., projecting over a mountain ridge.

verb (used with object)

, cor·niced, cor·nic·ing.

1. to furnish or finish with a cornice.

cornice

/ ˈkɔːnɪs /

noun

1. architect
   1. the top projecting mouldings of an entablature
   2. a continuous horizontal projecting course or moulding at the top of a wall, building, etc
2. an overhanging ledge of snow formed by the wind on the edge of a mountain ridge, cliff, or corrie

verb

1. tr architect to furnish or decorate with or as if with a cornice

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornice¹

1555–65; < Italian: literally, crow (< Latin cornix ); for the meaning, compare Greek korṓnē crow, crown

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornice¹

C16: from Old French, from Italian, perhaps from Latin cornix crow, but influenced also by Latin corōnis decorative flourish used by scribes, from Greek korōnis, from korōnē curved object, crown

Example Sentences

Lingering cornices and deep snowdrifts can be onerous and present obstacles.

From Outside Online

Everywhere were drifts of fresh snow, creating funny, curled-up noses along the cornice edges.

From Outside Online

We often see stunning videos of avalanches with massive cornices tumbling down sheer cliffs, or snowfields sloughing off into steep bowls.

From Outside Online

I questioned each decision, the stability of each slope and cornice, and the security of each rock.

From Outside Online

The angle of my bridge and the curvature of the snout itself create a steep slope to a cornice—perfect for sending poorly fit coverings off the edge.

From Outside Online

The faint candle-light glimmered on a ponderous gilded cornice, which had also sustained violence.

From Project Gutenberg

It consists of two stories rising to a cornice topped by a steep, many-dormered roof.

From Project Gutenberg

A richly corbelled cornice crowns the structure, above which a spire was projected by Giotto, but never carried out.

From Project Gutenberg

The horizontal lines of the architrave and cornice predominate over the vertical lines of the columns.

From Project Gutenberg

A little later the walls began to be covered with panels of thin slabs of marble with a baseboard and cornice.

From Project Gutenberg