cornice

noun cor·nice \ ˈkȯr-nəs , -nish \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of cornice

1 a : the molded and projecting horizontal member that crowns an architectural composition — see column illustration

b : a top course that crowns a wall

2 : a decorative band of metal or wood used to conceal curtain fixtures

3 : an overhanging mass of windblown snow or ice usually on a ridge

See cornice defined for English-language learners

See cornice defined for kids

Recent Examples of cornice from the Web

State street, the main thoroughfare, is a ghastly avenue of ruins, parts of its most stately buildings being tumbled down, and cornices, walls and fronts of practically all principal structures shattered down.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "June 30, 1925: Quake rocks Santa Barbara," 30 June 2018
Because the block was built by a single developer, the houses were originally identical — the same height, the same cornice details.

— inga saffron, Philly.com, "When trading up isn't an option, Philadelphia rowhouse owners build up | Inga Saffron," 21 June 2018
The architect and professor David Erdman has suggested fitting in more people in those same buildings by going even higher, adding cornices of from 5 to 25 stories atop the existing structures, which are already often about 40 stories tall already.

— austin ramzy, New York Times, "Live in a Drainpipe? Five Extreme Ideas to Solve Hong Kong’s Housing Crisis," 26 Mar. 2018
Almost all have been retrofitted by bracing parapets around the building’s exterior, anchoring walls to the roof, and removing or stabilizing exterior features such as stairways, balconies, marquees and cornices.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego's vulnerable buildings," 13 May 2018
Decorative cornices and parapets on the exteriors shake loose.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Back story: Shoring up old masonry buildings for earthquakes," 13 May 2018
Outside there was decorative bargeboard over windows and doors, decorative cornice and corbel trim.

— joanne kempinger demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A major renovation improved 1872 Walker's Point home but kept the Gothic Revival charm," 3 May 2018
The leaking roof has damaged plaster and destabilized the ornate terra cotta cornice, with pieces falling to the sidewalk, threatening public safety.

— will higgins, Indianapolis Star, "These 10 classic, historic Indiana buildings are on borrowed time," 2 May 2018
The living areas, for example, are embellished with vertical fluted columns, handmade cornice moulding, starburst chandelier medallions, even several swoopy modillions.

— richard a. marini, San Antonio Express-News, "Dale Evans’ Uvalde home for sale — but needs tons of work," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cornice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of cornice

Origin and Etymology of cornice

Middle French, from Italian, frame, cornice, from Latin cornic-, cornix crow; akin to Greek korax raven — more at raven

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1563

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

cornice

verb

Definition of cornice

corniced; cornicing

transitive verb

: to furnish or crown with a cornice

Recent Examples of cornice from the Web

Similarly he had missing sections of hand carved cornicing restored.

— ruth bloomfield, WSJ, "A Renovated Riad Fit for a Sultan," 2 May 2018

First Known Use of cornice

1744

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

CORNICE Defined for English Language Learners

cornice

noun

Definition of cornice for English Language Learners

: the decorative top edge of a building or column
: a decorative strip of wood or some other material used at the top of the walls in a room

CORNICE Defined for Kids

cornice

noun cor·nice \ ˈkȯr-nəs \

Definition of cornice for Students

1 : an ornamental piece that forms the top edge of the front of a building or pillar

2 : an ornamental molding placed where the walls meet the ceiling of a room

Learn More about cornice

Spanish Central: Translation of cornice Nglish: Translation of cornice for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cornice

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cornice

Definition of cornice

Recent Examples of cornice from the Web

Illustration of cornice

Origin and Etymology of cornice

Other Architecture Terms

cornice

Definition of cornice

Recent Examples of cornice from the Web

First Known Use of cornice

Other Architecture Terms

CORNICE Defined for English Language Learners

cornice

Definition of cornice for English Language Learners

CORNICE Defined for Kids

cornice

Definition of cornice for Students

Learn More about cornice

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