Definition of 'frieze'
Image of
frieze
© Elliotte Rusty Harold, shutterstock
Word Frequency
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
Word Frequency
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?
the part of a classical temple above the columns, having an architrave, a frieze, and a cornice
Which architectural feature am I?
(in ancient Greece) a narrow fillet or headband for the hair
Which architectural feature am I?
(esp of a classical temple) having a set of columns at both ends or at both sides
Which architectural feature am I?
a circular window having ribs radiating from the centre
Which architectural feature am I?
a pattern of interlacing ribs, esp as used in the upper part of a Gothic window, etc
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
earn or urn?
Which version is correct?
council or counsel?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
council
counsel
The city has voted almost unanimously in favour of the proposal.
canvas or canvass?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
canvass
canvas
I'm going out to for the Conservative party.
cereal or serial?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
serial
cereal
It has become the BBC's most popular .
hear or here?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
here
hear
I'm all by myself and I know I'm going to get lost.
Your score:
Word of the day
nanopublishing
an inexpensive form of online publishing that uses blogging as a model to reach a specific audience
Latest Word Submissions
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
9 new words added to Collins Dictionary
Here are nine words recently added to Collins English Dictionary online. The words we use reflect the preoccupations of our time, and with the possibility of holidays and travel returning to the agenda, the dictionary welcomes ‘capsule hotel’, ‘tourist tax’, and the American informal shortening ‘vacay’ (from ‘vacation’).
Read more
New Conversations Day
The twelfth of July marks New Conversations Day. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t fret or feel afflicted by FOMO, for this is the first such day – ever.
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
heal or heel?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
heal
heel
It will take a few weeks before the fracture starts to .
root or route?
Which version is correct?
moose or mousse?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
mousse
moose
Divide the between the glasses and chill.
sew or sow?
Which version is correct?
troop or troupe?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
troop
troupe
There were reports of movements.
Your score: