Definition of 'frieze'
Image of
frieze
© Elliotte Rusty Harold, shutterstock
frieze in British English 1
noun
1. architecture
a.
the horizontal band between the architrave and cornice of a classical entablature, esp one that is decorated with sculpture
2.
any ornamental band or strip on a wall
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C16: from French frise, perhaps from Medieval Latin frisium, changed from Latin Phrygium Phrygian (work), from Phrygia Phrygia, famous for embroidery in gold
frieze in American English 1
noun
1.
a decoration or series of decorations forming an ornamental band around a room, mantel, etc.
2. Architecture
a horizontal band, often decorated with sculpture, between the architrave and cornice
of a building
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
Fr frise < ML frisium < ? Frank *frisi, a curl, akin to OE fris, crisped, curled; ? confused in folk-etym. by assoc. with ML frigium < L Phrygium, Phrygian: Phrygia was noted for embroidery in gold
Examples of 'frieze' in a sentence
frieze
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Word lists with
frieze
architectural features, fabricQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which architectural feature am I?
a strip of flat panelling, such as a fascia or plinth, usually attached to a wall
Which architectural feature am I?
a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire
Which architectural feature am I?
an ornamental moulding in which a half egg shape alternates with a dart, tongue, or anchor shape
Which architectural feature am I?
(of windows) composed of small panes of glass held in place by thin grooved strips of lead
Your score:
Trends of
frieze
View usage for:
Browse alphabetically
frieze
Source
Definition of frieze from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
lead or led?
Which version is correct?
pail or pale?
Which version is correct?
larva or lava?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
lava
larva
Rivers of flowed down the volcano.
weather or whether?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
weather
whether
Fishing is possible in virtually any .
flew or flu?
Which version is correct?
Your score:
Word of the day
god game
a computer roleplaying game in which the player controls the destiny of one or more avatars within a large virtual environment
9 new words in Collins Dictionary
There is a scientific bent to 9 new words added to the Collins Online Dictionary, including three types of 'blot' tests, and words relating to electric vehicles.
Read more
Brush up on your Latin this Back to School
With the UK running a pilot study into teaching Latin in state schools, we look at common Latin phrases still in use today.
Read more
A little bird told me… 7 animal idioms
It’s new words time at Collins Dictionary and this month we see the addition of words like fingerling, net zero and emotional support animal. This month, there were a few animal-related additions.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
know or no?
Which version is correct?
throne or thrown?
Which version is correct?
flea or flee?
Which version is correct?
groan or grown?
Which version is correct?
idle or idol?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
idol
idle
The crowd cheered as they caught sight of their .
Your score: