gargoyle
Use Gargoyle in a sentence
gɔɪl noun
1.
a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal.
2.
a spout, terminating in a grotesque representation of a human or animal figure with open mouth, projecting from the gutter of a building for throwing rain water clear of a building.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English gargoile < Old French gargouille, gargoule literally, throat; see gargle
1250–1300; Middle English gargoile < Old French gargouille, gargoule literally, throat; see gargle
Related forms
gar·goyled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To gargoyle
Collins
World English Dictionary
gargoyle (ˈɡɑːɡɔɪl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a waterspout carved in the form of a grotesque face or creature and projecting from a roof gutter, esp of a Gothic church |
| 2. | any grotesque ornament or projection, esp on a building |
| 3. | a person with a grotesque appearance |
| [C15: from Old French gargouille gargoyle, throat; see | |
| 'gargoyled | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Gargoyle
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gargoyle
"grotesque carved waterspout," 1286, from O.Fr. gargouille "throat, waterspout" (see gargle).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
gargoyle definition
A sculpture depicting grotesque human shapes or evil spirits used in many buildings of the Middle Ages, most notably on Gothic cathedrals. Some gargoyles drained rainwater, sending it clear of the walls of the building.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
Gargoyle definition
A language for compiler writing.
[J.V. Garwick, CACM 7(1):16-20, (Jan 1964)].
(1994-11-04)
Example sentences
Every few minutes each portrait purses its lips and spouts a jet of water, metamorphosing into a high-tech gargoyle.
The idea for a gargoyle finial came from a fireplace mantel.
The intersection of this facade roof with the slightly protected west tower is embellished with a single red stone gargoyle.
He also used a heavy gargoyle statue to crush her head.
Nearby Words
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