entasis

noun

en·​ta·​sis ˈen-tə-sis How to pronounce entasis (audio)
plural entases ˈen-tə-ˌsēz How to pronounce entasis (audio)
: a slight convexity especially in the shaft of a column

Word History

Etymology

Greek, literally, distension, stretching, from enteinen to stretch tight, from en- en- entry 2 + teinein to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entasis was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near entasis

Cite this Entry

“Entasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entasis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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