CORNICE Definition & Meaning

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cornice

[ kawr-nis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Architecture.
1. any prominent, continuous, horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other construction, or dividing it horizontally for compositional purposes.
2. the uppermost member of a classical entablature, consisting of a bed molding, a corona, and a cymatium, with rows of dentils, modillions, etc., often placed between the bed molding and the corona.
any of various other ornamental horizontal moldings or bands, as for concealing hooks or rods from which curtains are hung or for supporting picture hooks.
a mass of snow, ice, etc., projecting over a mountain ridge.

verb (used with object)

corniced, cornicing.

to furnish or finish with a cornice.

cornice

/ ˈ��ɔː��ɪ�� /

noun

architect
1. the top projecting mouldings of an entablature
2. a continuous horizontal projecting course or moulding at the top of a wall, building, etc
an overhanging ledge of snow formed by the wind on the edge of a mountain ridge, cliff, or corrie

verb

tr architect to furnish or decorate with or as if with a cornice

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of cornice¹

1555–65; < Italian: literally, crow (< Latin cornix ); for the meaning, compare Greek ��ǰ�ṓnŧ crow, crown

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of cornice¹

C16: from Old French, from Italian, perhaps from Latin cornix crow, but influenced also by Latin ��ǰ�ō�Ծ�� decorative flourish used by scribes, from Greek ��ǰ�ō�Ծ��, from ��ǰ�ō��ŧ curved object, crown

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Its poor structural condition was exposed in 2012 when bits of its elaborate cornice began falling off after an especially harsh winter which required a multi-million euro renovation the following year.

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The first step was to make it seven feet up from the window to a small ledge called a cornice.

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As your eyes adjust in the dark, unlit details fade in: a coat of aluminum paint on the cornice, a staircase through the curtain, a tracing of mortar among stones in the foundation.

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Saturday found a backpack next to a broken snow cornice near the crater rim.

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Standing near the mountain peak, the snowboarder triggered the avalanche on a cornice — an overhang of snow that can form on steep alpine slopes — and fell to his death.

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