pedestal etymology

Etymology:

The word "pedestal" comes from the Latin word "pedestālis," which means "of or pertaining to a foot." This word is derived from "pes" or "pedis" (foot) and the suffix "-alis" (relating to).

Meaning and Origin:

In ancient Greek architecture, a pedestal (βάθρον, "bathron") was a raised base or platform on which a statue or other object was placed. Pedestals helped to elevate the object from the ground, making it more prominent and visually imposing.

In Roman architecture, pedestals evolved into more elaborate structures, often adorned with decorative moldings and sculptures. They were used to support not only statues but also columns, altars, and other architectural elements.

Over time, the term "pedestal" has come to denote any raised base or platform that is used to elevate an object. Pedestals are commonly used in various contexts, such as:

  • Art and Sculpture: To display statues, busts, and artwork
  • Architecture: To support columns, porches, or other structural elements
  • Furniture: As the base of tables, chairs, and other pieces
  • Decor: As a decorative element in homes and gardens

Pedestals serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. They elevate objects to enhance their visibility and impact, while also providing support and stability. The design and ornamentation of pedestals can vary greatly, ranging from simple geometric forms to elaborate masterpieces of art.

pedestal relate terms

  • stall

    Etymology Middle English stallen staulen staken Old English stæl stælan to ste

  • stallion

    Etymology The word stallion is derived from the Old English word stallion which is

  • install

    Etymology Origin Latin installare meaning to set up or to establish Components

  • stallage

    Etymology Old French estalage Late Latin stallaticum Medieval Latin stallum booth

  • antipodes

    Etymology The word antipodes is derived from Greek anti άντί opposite or

  • apodal

    Etymology Greek apodos without feet Meaning Without legs or feet Origin The

  • Arthropoda

    Etymology Arthr Greek Joint Pod Greek Foot Meaning and Origin Arthropoda the

  • babouche

    Etymology French babouche Arabic بابوج bābūj Meaning A slipper like shoe

  • biped

    Etymology The word biped comes from the Latin word bipes which is derived from two L

  • brachiopod

    Etymology Brachiopod Derived from Greek brachion arm and pous foot Meaning a

  • cap a pie

    Etymology of Cap a Pie The phrase cap a pie originated from the Middle French phrase

  • centipede

    Etymology The word centipede originates from Latin Centum Meaning hundred Pes M

  • cephalopod

    Etymology The word cephalopod comes from the Greek words kephale head and podos f

  • cheliped

    Etymology Cheli Greek claw pod Greek foot Meaning A cheliped is a claw bearin

  • chiropodist

    Etymology Chiro Greek hand pod Greek foot Meaning A chiropodist is a healt

  • expedite

    Etymology Old French expedier Late Latin expedire Latin ex out pes foot

  • expedition

    Etymology Expedition comes from the Latin word expeditio meaning a military campaign

  • foot

    Etymology The word foot derives from the Old English word fot which is of Germanic o

  • foosball

    Etymology Foosball is a term used in North America to describe a table game played wi

  • fetch

    Etymology The word fetch comes from the Middle English word fetchen which in turn is

  • fetter

    Etymology The word fetter comes from the Middle English word fetier which is derive

  • fetlock

    Etymology The word fetlock is derived from the Old English word fetels meaning fet

  • gastropod

    Etymology The word gastropod comes from the Greek words gaster γαστήρ meaning

  • hexapod

    Etymology Greek hexa six pod foot Meaning A hexapod is an animal that has

  • impede

    Etymology Latin impedīre to entangle obstruct hinder Proto Indo European ped f

  • impediment

    Etymology Latin impedimentum hindrance obstacle Proto Indo European ped foot

  • impeach

    Etymology The word impeach originates from Old French empeechier and dates back to th

  • impeccable

    Etymology Impeccable derives from the Latin word impeccabilis which is formed from

  • isopod

    Etymology The word isopod is derived from two Greek words isos ἴσος meaning

  • millipede

    Etymology The word millipede is derived from two Greek words Milli meaning thou

  • octopus

    Etymology From Ancient Greek ὀκτώπους oktōpous from ὀκτώ oktō eig

  • ornithopod

    Etymology Greek ornithos ὄρνις bird podos πούς foot Meaning Orn

  • pajamas

    Etymology The word pajamas originates from the Hindi and Persian word paejama which

  • pawn

    Etymology The word pawn originates from the Old French word paon meaning peacock

  • peccadillo

    Etymology The word peccadillo comes from the Latin word peccatum meaning sin or

  • peccant

    Etymology From Latin peccans present participle of peccare to sin commit a fault M

  • peccavi

    Etymology Latin meaning I have sinned Meaning The word peccavi is a confession of

  • pedal

    Etymology The word pedal comes from the Latin word pedalis which means of the foot

  • pedestrian

    Etymology The word pedestrian comes from the Latin word pedes meaning foot Mean

  • pedicel

    Origin and Etymology The word pedicel is derived from the Latin word pediculus which

  • pedicle

    Etymology The word pedicle comes from the Late Latin word pediculus meaning little

  • pedicure

    Etymology The word pedicure is derived from the Latin words pedis meaning foot

  • pedigree

    Etymology The word pedigree is derived from the following roots Latin pes foot

  • pedology

  • pedometer

    Etymology The word pedometer comes from the Greek words pedos foot and metron me

  • peduncle

    Etymology The word peduncle is derived from the Latin word pedunculus which means li

  • pejoration

    Etymology From Late Latin pejoratio from Latin peior worse atio noun suffix

  • peon

    Etymology The origin of the word peon is uncertain but there are several proposed et

  • pessimism

    Etymology Pessimism derives from the Latin pessimus meaning worst or most evil I

  • petiole

    Etymology The word petiole derives from the Latin word petiolus which means little

  • Piedmont

    Etymology The word Piedmont is derived from the Italian phrase piede del monte which

  • piepowder

    Etymology The word piepowder is derived from two Old French terms pied foot po

  • pilot

    Etymology The word pilot is derived from the Old Provençal word pilote which in tu

  • pinniped

    Etymology The word pinniped is derived from the Latin roots pinna fin and pes fo

  • pioneer

    Etymology and Origin of Pioneer Etymology ultimately from Old French pionier from t

  • platypus

    Etymology The word platypus is derived from the Greek words platys meaning flat

  • podium

    Etymology The word podium comes from the Greek word podion which means little foot

  • polyp

    Etymology The word polyp is derived from the Greek word polupous which means many

  • pseudopod

    Etymology Pseudo Greek false resembling Pod Greek foot Meaning A pseudopod is

  • quadruped

    Etymology Latin quadrupedēs quadrupedis four footed quadru from Latin quatt

  • sesquipedalian

    Etymology Latin sesquipedālis Origin sesqui 1 5 from semi half pedalis foot

  • stapes

    Etymology Greek stapes σταπές meaning stirrup Meaning The stapes is a

  • talipes

    Etymology Latin talus ankle pes foot Meaning Clubfoot Origin Talipe

  • tetrapod

    Etymology From Ancient Greek tetra τέτρα meaning four pod πους

  • Theropoda

    Etymology The term Theropoda is derived from the Greek words thero θήρ meani

  • trapezium

    Etymology The word trapezium comes from the Greek word trapezion which means littl

  • trapezoid

    Etymology The word trapezoid comes from the Greek words trapezium meaning little ta

  • tripod

    Etymology of Tripod The word tripod comes from the Ancient Greek tripodēs which

  • trivet

    Etymology The word trivet derives from the Old French term trevet which itself likely

  • velocipede

    Etymology and Meaning Velocipede noun A two wheeled or four wheeled vehicle propelled

  • apostle

    Etymology From Old English apostol noun apostolig adjective from Late Latin apost

  • catastaltic

    Etymology The word catastaltic is derived from the Greek words kata κατά m

  • diastole

    Etymology From Greek diastolē διαστολή meaning extension dilation M

  • epistle

    Etymology Greek ἐπιστολή epistolē Latin epistula Meaning A letter es

  • forestall

    Etymology Middle English fore stallen from Old English forestælan Meaning To pr

  • Gestalt

    Etymology German Gestalt Latin Gestaltus meaning form shape configuration Gr

  • install

    Etymology Origin Latin installare meaning to set up or to establish Components

  • installment

    Etymology The word installment comes from the Middle French word installement which

  • pedestal

    Etymology The word pedestal comes from the Latin word pedestālis which means of o

  • peristalsis

    Etymology Greek peristaltikos Latin peristalticus Meaning Wave like muscular

  • peristaltic

    Etymology The word peristaltic is derived from the Greek words peri περί m

  • stale

    Etymology Middle English stale from Old French estale from Latin status meaning

  • stalk

    Etymology Stalk originated from the Old English word stealcian which means to appr

  • stall

    Etymology Middle English stallen staulen staken Old English stæl stælan to ste

  • stall

    Etymology Middle English stallen staulen staken Old English stæl stælan to ste

  • stall

    Etymology Middle English stallen staulen staken Old English stæl stælan to ste

  • stallage

    Etymology Old French estalage Late Latin stallaticum Medieval Latin stallum booth

  • stallion

    Etymology The word stallion is derived from the Old English word stallion which is

  • stele

    Etymology The word stele comes from the Greek word στήλη stēlē meaning up

  • stell

    Etymology Stell from Latin stella meaning star Meaning A small bright point o

  • still

    Etymology The word still has multiple etymological origins Old English stille me

  • stilt

    Etymology The word stilt originates from the Middle English word stilte which in tur

  • stole

    Etymology Old English stelan from Proto Germanic stelanan from Proto Indo Europea

  • stolon

    Etymology Latin stolō offshoot sucker Meaning A slender horizontal stem th

  • stout

    Etymology The word stout comes from the Old English word stut meaning strong or f

  • stultify

    Etymology of stultify The word stultify has its roots in the Latin word stultus wh

  • systaltic

    Etymology Greek systole contraction ikos relating to Meaning Pertaining

  • systole

    Etymology Greek systolé a contraction a shortening Derived from the verb systéll

  • base

    Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

  • stand

    Etymology Old English standan from Proto Germanic standaną related to Old High

  • garden

    Etymology of Garden The word garden has its origins in the Proto Indo European root

  • support

    Etymology Latin supportāre from sub under portāre to carry Proto Indo Eur

  • position

    Etymology From Middle English posicion from Anglo Norman posicion from Old French pos

  • pillar

    Etymology The word pillar comes from the Late Latin word pilare meaning to support

  • status

    Etymology The word status comes from the Latin word status which means standing po

  • column

    Etymology Meaning Origin column vertical support or p

  • India

    Etymology The name India is derived from the Greek word Indikos which was used to r