pyramidion

[ pir-uh-mid-ee-uhn, -on ]

noun

, plural pyr·a·mid·i·a [pir-, uh, -, mid, -ee-, uh].

1. a miniature pyramid, as at the apex of an obelisk.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyramidion¹

1830–40; < New Latin, equivalent to pȳramid- pyramid + -ion diminutive suffix < Greek

Example Sentences

Since then, crews of stonemasons have been busily filling cracks with epoxy, relining stone interstices with more than 14,000 feet of mortar, and installing metal cradle anchors to reinforce the stone ribs sustaining the monument's pyramidion.

From Los Angeles Times

The worst damage was at the top, at the four-sided pyramidion.

From Reuters

The god Tum appears on the four sides of the pyramidion, and some therefore think that the obelisk stood with its companion in front of the temple of Tum at Heliopolis.

From Project Gutenberg

On the pyramidion of the obelisk he is represented by a sphinx presenting gifts of water and wine to Tum, the setting sun, a solar deity worshipped at Heliopolis.

From Project Gutenberg

From this hieroglyphic sentence we learn that the pyramidion of each obelisk was covered or capped with some metal, probably copper.

From Project Gutenberg