See Also: pediment(dictionary)
pediment(encyclopedia)
pediment(dictionary)

pediment (iou)



pediment noun. Orig. periment. L16.
[Origin uncertain: perh. alt. of PYRAMID noun.]
I.
The triangular part crowning the front of a building in the classical style, usu. situated over a portico and consisting of a flat recessed field framed by a cornice and often ornamented with sculptures; a similarly placed part of a building in mannerist or baroque style (irrespective of shape); a similar feature surmounting and abutting on a niche, door, screen, etc. L16.
Physical Geography. A broad gently sloping rock surface that extends outwards from the abrupt foot of a mountain in arid and semi-arid regions and is usu. covered with a layer of alluvium. L19.
II. [Referred to Latin ped-, pes foot.]
A (physical) base. E18.
pedi'mental adjective of, pertaining to, or shaped like a pediment M19.
pedimen'tation noun (Physical Geography) the formation of a pediment M20.
pedimented adjective having or characterized by a pediment or pediments; shaped or placed like a pediment: M19.