Pediment
/ˈpɛdɪmənt/noun
The triangular upper part of the front of a classical building.
Did you know?Pediment comes through French from Latin *pedimentum*, ultimately tied to *pes, pedis* meaning “foot,” because it originally referred to the foot or base of something before becoming an architectural term.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
pedimentum
“a support, footing, or base”
Late Latin
Latin
pedimentum
“a base or foundation”
Old French
Old French
pedement
“a base or support”
16th Century
English
pediment
“the base or foot of a structure”
Modern English
English
pediment
“the triangular gable of a classical building”