Noun Acroterium Definition and Examples

1.

noun

A pedestal on the centre or side of a pediment on which a statue or other ornament is placed.

An ornamental statue or carving placed on the centre and sides of a pediment, or at the upper corner of a building, tower, pillar, etc.

((n.) One of the small pedestals, for statues or other ornaments, placed on the apex and at the basal angles of a pediment. Acroteria are also sometimes placed upon the gables in Gothic architecture.|--|(n.) One of the pedestals, for vases or statues, forming a part roof balustrade.|--|)

Mid 17th century; earliest use found in John Evelyn (1620–1706), diarist and writer. From classical Latin acrōtērium ornament on the angle of a pediment, projection acting as a breakwater, in post-classical Latin also (in plural) extremities of the body and its etymon ancient Greek ἀκρωτήριον summit or extremity, statue or ornament placed on the angle of a pedestal, (in plural) extremities of the body, hands and feet, in Hellenistic Greek also pediment from ἄκρος extreme, endmost, highest + -τήριον, suffix forming nouns.