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\

Definition of acroterion

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)

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Origin and Etymology of acroterion

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

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First Known Use: 1664

in the meaning defined above

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