plinth

noun

ˈplin(t)th

Synonyms of plinth next

: the lowest member of a base : subbase

: a block upon which the moldings of an architrave or trim are stopped at the bottom

: a usually square block serving as a base

broadly : any of various bases or lower parts

: a course of stones forming a continuous foundation or base course

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Plinth and Architecture

"These ivy-clad arcades — / These mouldering plinths ... are they all — / All of the famed, and the colossal left…?" In these lines from "The Coliseum," Edgar Allan Poe alludes to a practical feature of classical architecture. The plinth serves the important purpose of raising the base of the column it supports above the ground, thus protecting it from dampness and mold. The humble plinth is usually a mere thick block. It's humbly named, too, for the Greek word plinthos means simply "tile" or "brick." English writers have used plinth, a shortened version of the Latin form plinthus, since the mid-16th century. The word's meaning was later extended to bases for statues, vases, or busts.

Examples of plinth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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The turntable's plinth is finished in black ash veneer, and the system comes with a hinged dust cover. —

New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024 The billboards, which featured photographs of empty plinths and probing phrases, urged viewers to reconsider the purpose and impact of monuments. —

Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Oct. 2024 Ready-to-wear and accessories are displayed on handmade Douglas fir totems and plinths, and a bespoke rug, handmade in Morroco and in a custom Ulla Johnson print. —

Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024 In a private preview before the show’s November 2nd opening, Tines will sing while standing on the living-room plinth, accompanied by his grandparents, who raised him and fostered his love of music. —

Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plinth