cornice

C2 Topic:Architecture & Buildings

US /ˈkoɹnɪs/ UK /ˈkɔːnɪs/ See IPA manual

Freq #76705

Meanings

1

noun
a horizontal moulded projection that crowns a building, wall, or classical entablature

Carved leaves decorated the stone cornice above the columns.
2

noun
a decorative moulding where an interior wall meets the ceiling

The restorers repaired the plaster cornice around the drawing room.
3

noun
an overhanging mass of wind-packed snow along a ridge or mountain crest

The climbers stayed well back from the fragile snow cornice.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a horizontal moulded... crowning mouldingprojecting ledge

2 noun · a decorative moulding where... crown mouldingceiling moulding

3 noun · an overhanging mass of... snow overhang

Word family

Forms cornices

Derived forms cornicedcornicework

Related forms entablatureeaves fasciamoulding

Etymology

Via French corniche from Italian cornice, 'ledge, frame, architectural moulding.' Its deeper origin is disputed: proposals connect it either with Latin cornix, 'crow,' perhaps through a beaklike projection, or with Greek korōnis, 'curved object or flourish.' The snow sense arose by resemblance to an architectural overhang.

Topics

Architecture & Buildings General Vocabulary

External links

# cornice

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈkoɹnɪs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkɔːnɪs/
**Frequency rank:** 76705

## Meanings
1. a horizontal moulded projection that crowns a building, wall, or classical entablature
2. a decorative moulding where an interior wall meets the ceiling
3. an overhanging mass of wind-packed snow along a ridge or mountain crest

## Examples
- Carved leaves decorated the stone cornice above the columns.
- The restorers repaired the plaster cornice around the drawing room.
- The climbers stayed well back from the fragile snow cornice.

## Synonyms
- crowning moulding
- projecting ledge
- crown moulding
- snow overhang

## Derived Forms
- corniced
- cornicework

## Related Forms
- entablature
- eaves
- fascia
- moulding

## Etymology
Via French corniche from Italian cornice, 'ledge, frame, architectural moulding.' Its deeper origin is disputed: proposals connect it either with Latin cornix, 'crow,' perhaps through a beaklike projection, or with Greek korōnis, 'curved object or flourish.' The snow sense arose by resemblance to an architectural overhang.

## Topics
- Architecture & Buildings
- General Vocabulary

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