corbel

1 of 2

noun

cor·​bel ˈkȯr-bəl 

: an architectural member that projects from within a wall and supports a weight

especially : one that is stepped upward and outward from a vertical surface

Illustration of corbel

corbel

2 of 2

verb

corbeled or corbelled; corbeling or corbelling

transitive verb

: to furnish with or make into a corbel

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In this kitchen, cabinets above the range feel like a work of art, thanks to intricate corbels and a small mantel. —Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2023

In the lower level lounge, there’s a calacatta stone bar on a base made from wood and corbels from a Spanish church; the ceiling above the bar is made of vintage tin panels from France. —Nancy Keates, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023

Shannan and Drew crafted an artful sconce from a salvaged corbel, a couple of weathered wood shutters, and a $13 lamp kit. —Kelly Ryan Kegans, Country Living, 4 Jan. 2023

German archaeologist Gottlieb Schumacher stands near the corbel arch of a burial chamber at Megiddo in 1905. —Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, 1 Oct. 2015

Here, a natural stone gas fireplace with a cherry wood corbel mantel ties the space together. —Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "raven, architectural corbel," borrowed from Middle French (Anglo-French, "crow, raven"), going back to Old French, from corp "raven" (going back to Latin corvus) + -el, diminutive suffix (going back to Latin -ellus) — more at cornice entry 1

Note: Old French corp, corb for expected *corf (cf. cerf "deer," from Latin cervus) is difficult to explain; it has been speculated that the form was imported by Roman settlers from Etruria or another part of Italy where Latin -rv- regularly yields -rb- (cf. Tuscan corbo "raven" beside corvo; see Pierre Fouché, Phonétique historique du français, vol. 3, Paris, 1966, p. 798).

Verb

derivative of corbel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined above