plinth

[ plinth ]
/ plɪnθ /

noun Architecture.

a slablike member beneath the base of a column or pier.
a square base or a lower block, as of a pedestal.
Also called plinth course. a projecting course of stones at the base of a wall; earth table.
(in joinery) a flat member at the bottom of an architrave, dado, baseboard, or the like.

Origin of plinth

1555–65; earlier plinthus < Latin < Greek plínthos plinth, squared stone, brick, tile

OTHER WORDS FROM plinth

plinth·less, adjective plinth·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for plinth

British Dictionary definitions for plinth

plinth
/ (plɪnθ) /

noun

Also called: socle the rectangular slab or block that forms the lowest part of the base of a column, statue, pedestal, or pier
Also called: plinth course the lowest part of the wall of a building that appears above ground level, esp one that is formed of a course of stone or brick
a flat block on either side of a doorframe, where the architrave meets the skirting
a flat base on which a structure or piece of equipment is placed

Word Origin for plinth

C17: from Latin plinthus, from Greek plinthos brick, shaped stone