protoma

noun

pro·​to·​ma

prəˈtōmə

variants or protome

-(ˌ)mē

plural -s

: the representation of the head and neck of an animal often used decoratively in architecture

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek protomē head of a decapitated animal, literally, front part cut off, from protemnein to cut off in front, from pro- pro- entry 1 + temnein to cut

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