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bucranium

noun
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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

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History and Etymology for bucranium

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

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Cite this Entry

“Bucranium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bucranium. Accessed 12 Jun. 2021.

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