Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bucranium

noun
bu·cra·ni·um | \byüˈkrānēəm\
variants: or less commonly bucrane \(ˈ)byü¦krān \
plural bucrania\byüˈkrānēə \ also bucranes

Definition of bucranium 

: a sculptured ornament (as on a Roman Ionic or Corinthian frieze) composed of an ox skull adorned with ribbons or garlands

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for bucranium

Latin, from Greek boukranion ox head, from bous ox, head of cattle + kranion skull

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bucranium

Dictionary Entries near bucranium

bucolic

bucolic caesura

Bucorvus

bucranium

bud

Budapest

budbreak

Statistics for bucranium

Look-up Popularity

Comments on bucranium

What made you want to look up bucranium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

linchpin

one that holds something together

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games