gargoyle
[ gahr-goil ]
/ ˈgɑr gɔɪl /
noun
a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal.
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 of gargoyle
OTHER WORDS FROM gargoyle
gar·goyled, adjectiveWords nearby gargoyle
garganey,
gargantua,
gargantuan,
garget,
gargle,
gargoyle,
gargoylism,
gari,
garibaldi,
garibaldi, giuseppe,
garigue
Example sentences from the Web for gargoyle
British Dictionary definitions for gargoyle
gargoyle
/ (ˈɡɑːɡɔɪl) /
noun
a waterspout carved in the form of a grotesque face or creature and projecting from a roof gutter, esp of a Gothic church
any grotesque ornament or projection, esp on a building
a person with a grotesque appearance
Derived forms of gargoyle
gargoyled, adjectiveWord Origin for gargoyle
C15: from Old French
gargouille gargoyle, throat; see
gargle
Cultural definitions for gargoyle
gargoyle
A sculpture depicting grotesque human shapes or evil spirits used in many buildings of the Middle Ages, most notably on Gothic cathedrals (see also cathedral). Some gargoyles drained rainwater, sending it clear of the walls of the building.