kore

ko·re

noun \ˈkȯ-(ˌ)rā, ˈkō-\

plural ko·rai \-ˌrī, -(ˌ)rā\

Definition of KORE

: an ancient Greek statue of a clothed young woman standing with feet together

Origin of KORE

Greek korē girl; akin to Greek koros boy — more at crescent

First Known Use: 1920

kore

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Type of freestanding statue of a maiden (the female counterpart of the kouros) that appeared with the beginning of Greek monumental sculpture (c. 700 BC) and remained to the end of the Archaic period (c. 500 BC). Carved from marble and originally painted, the kore is a draped female figure standing erect with feet together or one foot slightly advanced. One arm is often extended, holding an offering; the other is lowered, usually clasping a fold of drapery. As in all Greek art, the kore evolved from a highly stylized form to a more naturalistic one. Its prototypes are found in Egyptian and Mesopotamian art.