Cariatic
/ˌkær.iˈæt.ɪk/noun
Relating to a caryatid, a sculpted female figure used as an architectural support.
Did you know?The Roman architect Vitruvius claimed that caryatids represented the women of Caryae, supposedly condemned to bear architectural burdens after their city’s betrayal—a vivid origin story, though not confirmed history.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κάρυον (káryon)
“Nut or kernel; the word associated with Caryae and later forms of caryatid.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Καρυάτιδες (Karyátides)
“Women of Caryae; the female figures used as architectural supports.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Caryatides
“Caryatids, female statues functioning as columns or supports.”
18th Century
French
caryatique
“Relating to a caryatid or caryatids.”
Modern English
English
cariatic
“Relating to a caryatid; a variant spelling of caryatic.”