acroterion

noun

ac·​ro·​te·​ri·​on
ˌa-krə-ˈtir-ē-ˌän,
-ē-ən
variants or acroterium
ˌa-krə-ˈtir-ē-əm
 or akroterion
ˌa-krə-ˈtir-ē-ˌän,
-ē-ən
 or acroter or less commonly akroter
ˈa-krə-tər
plural acroteria or akroteria
ˌa-krə-ˈtir-ē-ə
 or acroters also akroters
: a pedestal placed on a pediment to support a statue or other ornamentation
also : an ornament similarly placed (as on the prow of a galley)

Word History

Etymology

acroterion, akroterion from Greek akrōtērion, from akros topmost, extreme; akin to Greek akē point; acroterium from Latin, from Greek akrōtērion; acroter, akroter from French acrotère, from Latin acroterium

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acroterion was in 1664

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Dictionary Entries Near acroterion

acroterial

acroterion

Acrothoracica

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Acroterion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acroterion. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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