pedestal
pedestal Lexical Profile
pedestal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An architectural base, support, or foundation on which a statue, obelisk, column, or vase is mounted.
"The marble bust was carefully placed on a tall stone pedestal in the center of the gallery."
A position of high regard, idealized esteem, or uncritical admiration (especially in the phrase 'put on a pedestal').
"He tended to put his older brother on a pedestal, overlooking all of his flaws."
A central supporting column of a table or sink, or one of the two side cabinets containing drawers that support the top of a kneehole desk.
"We chose a round dining table with a single carved wooden pedestal to maximize legroom."
• verb
To place, mount, or support on a pedestal, or figuratively to exalt or idealize someone.
"Critics warned against pedestaling historical figures without examining their complex legacies."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from French 'piédestal', from Italian 'piedistallo', literally meaning 'foot of a stall' (from 'piede' meaning 'foot', from Latin 'pes', and 'stallo' meaning 'stall or support', of Germanic origin).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.