pedestal
pedestal Lexical Profile
pedestal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted.
"The museum curator carefully placed the ancient marble bust on a solid granite pedestal."
A position of high regard, admiration, or idealized status.
"After winning the championship, the young athlete was placed on a pedestal by the entire community."
• verb
To elevate someone to a position of idealized or uncritical admiration.
"It is ultimately unfair to pedestal public figures, as doing so ignores their natural human flaws."
To place or set an object on a base or support.
"The sculptor pedestaled the finished bronze figure to prepare it for the gallery opening."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used figuratively (often in the phrase 'put on a pedestal'), the word carries a connotation of over-idealization, implying that the person being admired is held to an unrealistic, flawless standard.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 16th century: from French piédestal, derived from Italian piedestallo, from piè (foot, from Latin pes, ped-) + di (of) + stallo (stall or standing place).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.