pedestal

views updated May 23 2018

pedestal. Substructure, consisting of a plinth, dado (or die), and cornice, beneath a column-base in Classical architecture; used as a support for an obelisk, statue, urn, etc.; or found in balustrades, terminating rows of balusters, and supporting vases etc. A Classical podium is a continuous elongated external pedestal, while inside a building it is expressed as a chair-rail, dado, and skirting. Orders used on triumphal arches have pedestals for reasons of composition and massing in the combination of arcuated and columnar and trabeated forms. See also Baluster.

pedestal

views updated May 29 2018

ped·es·tal / ˈpedəstl/ • n. the base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted. ∎ fig. a position in which one is greatly or uncritically admired: the heroes they have created and placed on pedestals. ∎  each of the two supports of a kneehole desk or table, typically containing drawers. ∎  the supporting column or base of a washbasin or toilet bowl.

pedestal

views updated May 21 2018

pedestal base supporting a column, etc. XVI. — F. piédestal — It. piedestallo, i.e. piē foot, di of, stallo stall; the first syll. was conformed to L. pēs, ped- FOOT.

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