Caryatid definition

kărē-ătĭd
caryatides caryatids
See word origin
Frequency:
A supporting column sculptured in the form of a draped female figure.
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A supporting column that has the form of a draped female figure.
noun
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A sculpted female figure serving as an architectural element, used as a support for entablature.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
caryatid
Plural:
caryatids

Origin 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