gargoyle

noun

gar·goyle ˈgär-ˌgȯi(-ə)l

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

: a grotesquely carved figure

: a person with an ugly face

gargoyled

ˈgär-ˌgȯi(-ə)ld

adjective

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

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For example, gargoyles on the facade were inspired by the hood ornaments on the Plymouth and other Chrysler products. —

Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2024 It is filled with symbolic decorations, colorful glass, artworks and gargoyles. —

Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024 As the timeline implies, though, the specter of AIDS looms not far behind, perched like a gargoyle amid glittering evocations of cocaine and Henry James. —

New York Times, 8 July 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for gargoyle