pedestal
/ˈpɛdɪst(ə)l
/- But the designs show two nude male statues on pedestals in the entrance hall below vast battle paintings and two more in the great domed central hall.
- However, a pillar should never be used as a supporting pedestal for another artwork.
- Some statues were erected on pedestals in sanctuaries exclusively meant for worship by the King and the priests.
Synonyms
- The monitor and keyboard sit on one side of the work space, and a niche in the desk's pedestal puts the printer within easy reach - but nearly out of sight.
- The table is carried back on its pedestal in harmonic motion with the saw, so the saw keeps its proper position in the table slot.
- The white suite comprises a bath, pedestal wash basin and toilet.
- The white suite comprises a corner bath, pedestal wash basin and toilet.
- Situated at the back of the house, this has a step-in shower, pedestal wash basin and toilet.
- Too often our African American heroes and heroines are placed on pedestals - far out of reach.
- The contest is wide open since Manchester United got knocked off their pedestal by Arsenal last season.
- There is much to be learned about a culture from those persons whom it places upon pedestals, whom it admires and emulates, whom it calls heroes.
Synonyms
- Pottery includes globular vessels with cylindrical necks, pedestalled bowls, and one-handled cups, sometimes with embossed ornament.
Phrases
put (or place) someone on a pedestal
Origin
Mid 16th century: from French piédestal, from Italian piedestallo, from piè 'foot' (from Latin pes, ped-, which later influenced the spelling) + di 'of' + stallo 'stall'.
pawn from Late Middle English:
There are two separate words here. The pawn in chess came via Anglo-Norman French poun, from medieval Latin pedo ‘foot soldier’, from Latin pes, ped- ‘foot’ (source of pedal (early 17th century), pedestal (mid 16th century), and pedestrian (mid 18th century)). Figurative use ‘a person used by others for their own purposes’ is recorded from the late 16th century. In the sense ‘to deposit an object as security for money lent’, pawn entered English from French pan ‘pledge, security’ in the 15th century.