pedestal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A base on which a statue, column, or vase stands.

   The marble statue rested on a tall stone pedestal in the museum hall.

2. 2
   noun

   A position of great admiration or assumed superiority.

   She put her grandmother on a pedestal and refused to hear a word against her.

Borrowed from Middle French piédestal, itself borrowed from Italian piedistallo (literally “foot stand”). Spelling influenced by Latin pēs, pedem.

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