gargoyle

noun

gar·​goyle ˈgär-ˌgȯi(-ə)l 

1

a

: a spout in the form of a grotesque human or animal figure projecting from a roof gutter to throw rainwater clear of a building

b

: a grotesquely carved figure

2

: a person with an ugly face

gargoyled

ˈgär-ˌgȯi(-ə)ld 

adjective

Illustration of gargoyle

• gargoyle 1a

Did you know?

In the 12th century, St. Bernard of Clairvaux reportedly complained about the new sculptures in the cloisters where he lived. "Surely," he is quoted as saying, "if we do not blush for such absurdities we should at least regret what we have spent on them." St. Bernard was apparently provoked by the grotesque figures designed to drain rainwater from buildings. By the 13th century, those figures were being called gargoyles, a name that came to Middle English from the Old French word gargoule. The stone beasts likely earned that name because of the water that gargled out of their throats and mouths; the word gargoule is imitative in origin.

Examples of gargoyle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These included the aforementioned wing ornaments modeled after Chrysler car radiator caps on the corners of the 31st floor, steel eagle gargoyles on the 61st floor, and plenty of wheel motifs inside and out. —Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024

Beware of the gargoyle guarding the home's entrance. —Troy Smith, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024

Have fun creating 16 mini-builds, including a gargoyle for each of the 4 Hogwarts houses, Hogwarts portraits, a teacher’s table, a Hogwarts Express Train, and more festive Lego pieces. —Daniela Capistrano, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024

In the episode, the Manhattan Clan becomes human and Elisa and the rest of New York become gargoyles, but the humans turned gargoyles still treat the gargoyles turned humans with fear and suspicion. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gargule, gargoyl, from Old French gargoule

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

gargoyle

noun

gar·​goyle ˈgär-ˌgȯil 

: a waterspout in the form of a strange or frightening human or animal figure sticking out at the roof or eaves of a building