gargoyle

American  

[gahr-goil] / ˈgɑr gɔɪl /

noun

1. a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal.

2. a spout, terminating in a grotesque representation of a human or animal figure with open mouth, projecting from the gutter of a building for throwing rainwater clear of a building.

---

gargoyle British  

/ ˈɡɑːɡɔɪl /

noun

1. a waterspout carved in the form of a grotesque face or creature and projecting from a roof gutter, esp of a Gothic church

2. any grotesque ornament or projection, esp on a building

3. a person with a grotesque appearance

---

gargoyle Cultural  

1. A sculpture depicting grotesque human shapes or evil spirits used in many buildings of the Middle Ages, most notably on Gothic cathedrals (see also cathedral). Some gargoyles drained rainwater, sending it clear of the walls of the building.

---

Other Word Forms

• gargoyled adjective

Etymology

Origin of gargoyle

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English gargoile, from Old French gargouille, gargoule literally, “throat”; gargle

Compare meaning

How does gargoyle compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• gargoyle vs. grotesque

Example Sentences

While she read, I hunched over my plate like a gargoyle, trying to interpret her head tilt.

From Literature

The architect’s mischievous side comes through in countless sketches for his famous gargoyles, which achieve “both anatomical coherence and a sense of demonic vitality.”

From The Wall Street Journal

She stares straight ahead— past the giant oak tree, past the stone gargoyle, past the ritzy apartments with the doorman.

From Literature

As they approached, Danny could see the knocker was shaped like a gargoyle head.

From Literature

The sharpness of his features reminds me of stone gargoyles that glare down at people from the churches back home.

From Literature