pedestal

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛdɪstəl/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a support or foundation
  2. noun a position of great esteem (and supposed superiority)
  3. noun an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French piédestal, itself borrowed from Italian piedistallo (literally “foot stand”). Spelling influenced by Latin pēs, pedem.

In classic literature

Synonyms

base, stand

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
support
Narrower (hyponyms)
trivet, brass monkey, staddle

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