finial

[ fin-ee-uhl, fahy-nee- ]

noun

1. Architecture. a relatively small, ornamental, terminal feature at the top of a gable, pinnacle, etc.
2. an ornamental termination to the top of a piece of furniture, or of one part of such a piece.
3. Typography. a curve terminating the main stroke of the characters in some italic fonts.

finial

/ ˈfaɪnɪəl /

noun

1. an ornament on top of a spire, gable, etc, esp in the form of a foliated fleur-de-lys
2. an ornament at the top of a piece of furniture, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈfinialed, adjective

Other Words From

• fini·aled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of finial¹

1400–50; late Middle English, derivative of Latin fīnis end; -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of finial¹

C14: from finial (adj), variant of final

Example Sentences

“I tend to go away from decorative finials that are very traditional,” he added, noting that he usually prefers simpler options, like curtain rods with flat end caps.

From Seattle Times

Sassoon and his children bought and also commissioned Jewish ceremonial art, such as two ornate gilt silver Torah finials, each topped with an open palm embossed with prayers.

From New York Times

The setting also nearly upstages the bird in a painting of a kestrel perched on a finial atop an ornate building.

From Washington Post

Both show a tapestry on the wall and a chair with lion’s-head finials.

From Washington Post

The playthings form elaborately ornamented chateaus, skyscrapers taller than most children, rudimentary cabins, houses of worship with gilded finials, gas stations, bunkers and intergalactic transit hubs.

From New York Times