Caryatid definition
A supporting column sculptured in the form of a draped female figure.
noun
A supporting column that has the form of a draped female figure.
noun
A sculpted female figure serving as an architectural element, used as a support for entablature.
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
caryatid
Plural:
caryatidsOrigin of caryatid
- From Latin Caryātides caryatids from Greek Karuātides priestesses of Artemis at Caryae, caryatids from Karuai , Caryae, a village of Laconia in southern Greece with a famous temple to Artemis
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle French cariatide, from Latin caryatides, from Ancient Greek Καρυάτιδες (Karuatides), plural of Καρυᾶτις (Karuatis, “a priestess of Artemis, female figures used as bearing-shafts”), from Καρυατίζω (Karuatizo, “dance the Karyatid festival dance”) from Καρύαι (Karuai, “a town in Laconia with a temple of Artemis and a festival”)
From Wiktionary