Cornices

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A projecting structural element typically found at the top of a wall, used to enhance the visual appeal of a building's exterior
2. An architectural feature that serves as a decorative crown at the junction of a wall and a ceiling, often serving to direct water away
3. A horizontal molding or ledge that adorns the upper edge of walls in buildings or the edges of furniture, providing both function and style

Etymology: "Cornices" is the plural of "cornice," the projecting molding that tops a wall, building facade, or ceiling. The singular came into English from Middle French "corniche" or Italian "cornice," and its ultimate source is uncertain. One candidate is Latin "cornix," meaning "crow," which would make the molding a shape named after a bird's outstretched wing. The other is Latin "coronis," from Greek "korōnis," meaning a curved line or decorative flourish in writing, which better fits the sweeping profile of a molding. Since the plural simply adds the "-s" to the singular, the two forms share the same history. The Greek and Latin candidates both point to a shape defined by a curve or projection rather than a function, which suits an element whose job is mostly to crown a wall and catch the eye.

Synonyms: moldings, eaves