metope

[ met-uh-pee, -ohp ]

/ ˈmɛt əˌpi, -oʊp /

any of the square spaces, either decorated or plain, between triglyphs in the Doric frieze.

Also called intertriglyph.

Origin of metope

First recorded in 1555–65, metope is from the Greek word metópē

In this metope, the 28th in the original series, the Centaur is victorious; the Lapith lies dead under his feet.

A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) |A. H. Smith
There is a careful drawing of this metope by 145 Feodor in the British Museum, taken when it was in a considerably better state.

A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) |A. H. Smith
From Carrey's drawing, taken when this metope was nearly complete, we learn what the action was.

A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) |A. H. Smith
This metope, though in a fragmentary state, appears to represent the rape of a woman by a nude male figure.

A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) |A. H. Smith

metope

/ (ˈmɛtəʊp, ˈmɛtəpɪ) /

architect a square space between two triglyphs in a Doric frieze

C16: via Latin from Greek metopē, from meta between + opē one of the holes for the beam-ends